HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

March 4, 2010. Aftershocks spark panic as looting continues in Chile

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Three strong aftershocks sparked panic in Chile on March 3rd, sending residents in Concepcion into the streets. Authorities say the aftershocks ranged from magnitude 5.9 to 6.1, and an initial tsunami warning was called off. No major injuries or damages have been reported.

In an effort to crackdown on looting in Concepcion, one of the country's worst affected cities, authorities extended an 8pm to noon curfew to begin at 6pm. Talca, Cauquenes, and Constitucion will also now be under the same curfew after looting has been reported in these areas.

The death toll from the February 27th 8.8 magnitude earthquake, meanwhile, was raised to 799, according to the National Emergency Office, which noted that the majority of fatalities occurred in the coastal region of Maule, where at least 587 people died. President Bachelet said on March 4th that the reconstruction effort will take at least three to four years with estimated damage at US$30 billion.