Chile earthquake and tsunami death toll at 700
The earthquake and tsunami that struck Chile last month killed 700 people and caused damages of nearly US$30bn (€21.7bn), the government said today.
A magnitude-6.7 aftershock rocked south-central Chile on Monday night, adding to the raw nerves and mounting damages caused by the quake on February 27.
Chile’s Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter updated the known death and damage toll on Tuesday, saying 200 people previously listed as missing would be added to the count of 500 previously known dead.
“In economic terms, this is the worst catastrophe Chile has suffered,” Hinzpeter added.
He estimated that damages could reach nearly US$30bn (€21.7bn), with insurance covering just US$5-8bn (€3.6-5.8bn).
