Most Aussies accounted for in Chile

2 Mar 2010, 6:44 pm   -   Source: AAP
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Authorities have made contact with more than 300 of the 400 Australians known to be in Chile, with no reports of injuries. (File AAP)

Authorities have made contact with more than 300 of the 400 Australians known to be in Chile, with no reports of injuries. (File AAP)

There are some signs that Australians may have escaped the devastating Chilean earthquake that has left more than 700 people dead.

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There are tentative signs that Australians may have escaped the devastating Chilean earthquake that has left more than 700 people dead.

Authorities have made contact with more than 300 of the 400 Australians known to be in Chile, with no reports of injuries.

And Chile's Consul-General in Melbourne, Diego Velasco, says he's not aware of any victims who have links to Australia.

Mr Velasco says many of Australia's large Chilean community, which numbers more than 23,000 and is centred in NSW and Victoria, are "very, very worried" about family and friends back home after Saturday's 8.8-magnitude quake.

"I haven't heard so far of any fatalities linked to people here, that's good news," he told AAP.

"Then again it's a bit too early, I just contacted my parents yesterday."

Mr Velasco said communications had been difficult but seemed to be improving, so more people had been able to check on loved ones in Chile.

He suggested people use emails and text messages to contact people in the quake zone, or try to make contact through a third person already in Chile, as domestic calls had a better chance of getting through than international calls.

Australia's Chilean community plans to hold about 10 fundraising events over the coming month and is considering buying satellite phones, beds and medicine to send to the South American country.

The Australian government will provide $5 million in aid.

Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said $1 million would be emergency assistance funding, plus $4 million in reconstruction assistance.

The government will also donate supplies including portable generators for power and lighting, and may send a team of structural engineers to help with damage assessments on public buildings.

Mr Smith expressed Australia's condolences for the loss of life and devastation caused by the quake to his Chilean counterpart Mariano Fernandez.

"Late last night ... I told him that thoughts of the Australian government and people were with those affected by this tragedy," Mr Smith said in a statement.

"Minister Fernandez expressed his gratitude for Australia's solidarity with and assistance to Chile and its people at this time."

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Your Comments

Chile at the moment

Kat - from Santiago, 2 years ago

Hola, I am an exchange student from Australia in Chile at the moment. I arrived on the 25th of February and experienced the quake. I was in Picarquín which is 40k south of Santiago and was hit at about a 7.5. When the quake happened it started rocking and just became very violent very quickly and by the time I realized what was happening it was too late to get out of the room because wooden structures and lights were falling out the front of the door. When it stopped we fled to open ground.

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