BEIJING, March 1 (Xinhua) -- Chinese government has decided to offer emergency humanitarian aid of 1 millon U.S. dollars to Chile to help relief work in areas hit by Saturday's earthquake, Yao Jian, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce said Monday.
China was preparing for disaster relief work and would continue to provide humanitarian aid to Chile according to need, said Yao.
A massive 8.8-magnitude quake rocked Chile early Saturday, leaving at least 708 people dead and hundreds missing.
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Chile quake death toll up as rescue efforts underway
SANTIAGO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- More than thirty hours after a magnitude-8.8 earthquake hit south-central Chile, the death toll has reached 708 on Sunday while rescue and relief efforts are underway.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet told a news conference that the number of the killed is expected to increase further. Full story
Chilean president announces state of catastrophe in 2 hard-hit regions
SANTIAGO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced on Sunday a national state of catastrophe for the two regions of Maule and Bio Bio to allow the Armed Forces' presence there.
The president also said a free delivery of food to the hard-hit areas of the magnitude-8.8 earthquake will be adopted. Altogether there are 2 million quake survivors in the two areas. Full story
Chile's int'l airport resumes operation after megaquake
SANTIAGO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The international airport of Santiago starts resuming operation slowly and will completely go into full operation on Tuesday, the commander in chief of Chile's Air Force of Chile said.
General Ricardo Ortega said that one flight from Lima arrived at the airport on Sunday, but the arrival of the flight "does not mean that all flights will arrive regularly." Full story
Over 350 people die in Chile town of Constitucion after quake: TV
SANTIAGO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- More than 350 people died in Chile's coastal town of Constitution after a magnitude-8.8 megaquake and an ensuing tsunami, the country's state television said on Sunday.
Local police confirmed that more than 150 people disappeared in a tsunami caused by a magnitude-6.1 aftershock Sunday morning as big waves stroke the city, taking away vehicles and hitting hard the cement along the coast in Constitucion. Full story
