Thousands participate in quake and tsunami drill in central Chile

[News_Editor]

Thousands participate in quake and tsunami drill in central Chile

2011-09-10 07:00:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) -- Thousands of people on Friday morning participated in an earthquake and tsunami drill in the central region of the country, more than 1.5 year after a massive earthquake struck off its coast.

More than 7,000 people were evacuated in the commune and beach resort city of Pichilemu, located in Chile's central province of Cardenal Caro, to carry out the drill, which aims to improve the response of residents during these types of natural disasters.

Chile's Interior and Public Security Ministry (ONEMI) said the drill was carried out at 11:11 a.m. local time as firefighters and police sirens sounded to alert residents. The ministry said the drill would help evaluate Pichilemu's Civil Protection Institutions, as well as the resident's behavior.

As part of ONEMI's 'Chile Prepared' campaign, the sirens sounded at an unannounced time, simulating an 8.0-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami. With over 7,000 people participating, around 85 percent of the residents moved quickly from the city's coastal areas to the nine previously designated points of reunion.

"A simulation with over 7,000 participants demonstrates that Pichilemu is a committed community that has a desire of learning the importance of disaster prevention measures," O'Higgins Regional Mayor Patricio Ray stated. "[The community] is willing to participate in these types of drills, which are in favor of their safety."

Alejandra Riquelme, National Emergency Office Regional Director, noted the importance of evaluating the area's institutions and their coordination during such events. The simulation was the campaign's sixth drill in Pichilemu, and a similar drill is scheduled to be carried out on October 13 in Penco commune, which is located in the region of Biobio.

On February 27, 2010, an epic 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck approximately 95 kilometers (60 miles) northwest of Chillan, offshore of Bio-Bio at a depth of about 35 kilometers (21.7 miles). The earthquake, which was one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded, devastated the region and - together with a resulting tsunami - left at least 521 people dead. More than 12,000 others were injured.

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