Hundreds of Aussies in quake-hit Chile

1 Mar 2010, 7:56 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Authorities are trying urgently to contact hundreds of Australians in Chile after a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the South American country.

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Authorities are trying urgently to contact hundreds of Australians in Chile after a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the South American country.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said there was no news of any deaths or injuries among the more than 400 Australians believed to be in Chile, but contact had not been made with all of them.

Communications were difficult and authorities had reached only about 100 Australians in the quake zone, he said.

"To date, despite the fact we now have got a death tally of over 700, we don't have any evidence that any Australians have been caught up in it," Mr Smith told Sky News on Monday.

"But I hasten to add that it is early days, and communications and getting in touch with people is a substantial problem."

Members of Australia's large Chilean-born population of about 23,000 are worried about the safety of friends and family. The death toll from Saturday's quake is expected to continue rising.

Most of the Chilean emigrants live in NSW and Victoria, while more than 2000 live in Queensland and Western Australia.

Many came out to Australia in the wake of Chile's political turmoil in the 1970s after the army seized power from Salvador Allende.

Mr Smith said Australia was ready to help Chile deal with the quake once it became clear what was needed.

Immediate rescue assistance was likely to come from countries closer to Chile but Australia could be called upon to help with long-term reconstruction.

"The scale of the disaster is enormous, and that's why we've indicated to Chile that we stand ready, willing and able to assist," he said.

Australian authorities met with officials from the Chilean embassy on Monday to discuss what Australia could do.

Former Queensland premier Peter Beattie, now Queensland's trade commissioner to the Americas, said the earthquake would have a short-term impact on trade and mining.

Mr Beattie told AAP that roads, bridges, transport, buildings and telecommunications were damaged by the 8.8 magnitude quake.

"This will undoubtedly have some impact on trade and the mining services industry but it is not expected to be long term," Mr Beattie said.

He said early assessments had found no damage to Chilean mines but there had been some closures due to power disruptions.

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