On February 27, at about 3:30am local time an extremely strong 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit the moderately populated region of Bio-Bio, Chile. The epicentre of the tremor was located 56 miles north-northeast of the Chilean town of Concepcion in the south of the country. Preliminary information from Chile:
Two main affected regions: Bio-Bio and Maule (rural, moderately populated areas with little or no access by road)·
Communications are very limited
Airport in Santiago is closed
President of Chile declared State of National Emergency and is flying over the affected area.
