Magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes Antofagasta, Chile
{{date|November 15, 2007}}
{{Chile}}
Authorities in [[Chile]] say at least two people have been killed and more than 100 injured after a powerful [[w:earthquake|earthquake]] struck in the north, sending terrified residents into the streets and cutting power to some of the country's copper mines. According to the [[w:United States Geological Survey|United States Geological Survey]] (USGS), the quake struck on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 15:40:53 [[w:UTC|UTC]].

Officials said two women were killed Wednesday when their houses in the town of Tocopilla collapsed during the 7.7 [[w:Richter magnitude scale|magnitude]] earthquake. They also said another person may have died in a tunnel collapse there, which has trapped some 50 workers.

Government spokesperson Ricardo Lagos said "They will be evacuated by the Navy via the ocean.  As far as we know there are no injured or dead [among the workers]."  

The USGS said the quake was centered west of the town of Calama. It was felt as far away as the Chilean capital, [[w:Santiago|Santiago]], and neighboring Peru and Bolivia.

Television images showed cars crushed under the concrete awning of a hotel in [[w:Antofagasta|Antofagasta]], 170 kilometers south of the epicenter.

The police chief of [[w:Arequipa|Arequipa]], Hernan Tamayo said, "People ran out into the streets because of how prolonged the quake was. There was a lot of alarm but no material or human damage."

The quake was followed by six aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 5.7. Additionally, the quake triggered a [[w:tsunami|tsunami]] warning which was later lifted. 

In [[w:Tocopilla|Tocopilla]], 115 people were injured. Mayor Luis Moyano said about 1,200 houses had been flattened. "Today, the people of Tocopilla are going to have to sleep in the streets," he said in a radio address.

In total, 3,000 homes have been destroyed in Chile, according to the Housing Minister. The government has airlifted hundreds of portable homes to provide shelter.

In August, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck [[Peru]], killing about 540 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. The southern port city of [[w:Pisco|Pisco]] was one of the areas devastated by the powerful quake, which lasted two minutes.

{{haveyoursay}}
{{BasedOn|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-11-14-voa39.cfm|title=Powerful Earthquake Strikes Northern Chile|by=VOA News|copy=Copyright status of work by the U.S. government|PD-USGov|copyurl=http://www.voanews.com/english/disclaim.cfm}}

== Related news ==
*{{wikinews|title=Major earthquake strikes Peru followed by multiple large aftershocks|date=August 16, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/16/2092405.htm?section=world
|title=Temporary housing arrives for Chile quake victims
|author=|pub=ABC News (Australia)
|date=November 15, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN1418943820071115
|title=Big earthquake kills two in Chile
|author=Pav Jordan
|pub=Reuters
|date=November 15, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-11-14-voa39.cfm
|title=Powerful Earthquake Strikes Northern Chile
|author=
|pub=VOA News
|date=November 14, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/eqinthenews/2007/us2007jsat/#details
|title=Magnitude 7.7 - Antofagasta, Chile
|author=|pub=USGS
|date=November 14, 2007}}
{{Wikipedia|2007 Antofagasta earthquake}}

{{publish}}
{{archived}}

[[Category:South America]]
[[Category:Chile]]
[[Category:Disasters and accidents]]
[[Category:Earthquakes]]

[[es:Terremoto de 7,7 grados en Antofagasta, Chile]]
[[it:Cile: scossa di terremoto di 7,7 gradi Richter]]
Authorities in Chile say at least two people have been killed and more than 100 injured after a powerful earthquake struck in the north, sending terrified residents into the streets and cutting power to some of the country's copper mines. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 15:40:53 UTC.

Officials said two women were killed Wednesday when their houses in the town of Tocopilla collapsed during the 7.7 magnitude earthquake. They also said another person may have died in a tunnel collapse there, which has trapped some 50 workers.

Government spokesperson Ricardo Lagos said "They will be evacuated by the Navy via the ocean.  As far as we know there are no injured or dead among the workers."  

The USGS said the quake was centered west of the town of Calama. It was felt as far away as the Chilean capital, Santiago, and neighboring Peru and Bolivia.

Television images showed cars crushed under the concrete awning of a hotel in Antofagasta, 170 kilometers south of the epicenter.

The police chief of Arequipa, Hernan Tamayo said, "People ran out into the streets because of how prolonged the quake was. There was a lot of alarm but no material or human damage."

The quake was followed by six aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 5.7. Additionally, the quake triggered a tsunami warning which was later lifted. 

In Tocopilla, 115 people were injured. Mayor Luis Moyano said about 1,200 houses had been flattened. "Today, the people of Tocopilla are going to have to sleep in the streets," he said in a radio address.

In total, 3,000 homes have been destroyed in Chile, according to the Housing Minister. The government has airlifted hundreds of portable homes to provide shelter.

In August, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Peru, killing about 540 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. The southern port city of Pisco was one of the areas devastated by the powerful quake, which lasted two minutes.


es:Terremoto de 7,7 grados en Antofagasta, Chile
it:Cile: scossa di terremoto di 7,7 gradi Richter
South America Chile Disasters and accidents Earthquakes