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Moscow ready to help quake-stricken Chile

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Russia is prepared to help Chile hit by a powerful earthquake killing 78 people, the Kremlin press service said on Saturday

Russia is prepared to help Chile hit by a powerful earthquake killing 78 people, the Kremlin press service said on Saturday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev sent a telegram expressing condolences to his Chilean counterpart, Michelle Bachelet.

"Please, accept our sincere condolences with the numerous losses and destruction after the earthquake in Chile," the Russian president said. "We will be ready to give you assistance needed to overcome the consequences of your country's disaster," he continued.

Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner during talks with Michelle Bachelet also offered assistance in cleanup operations.

CNN reported that the United States has also offered assistance to Chile.

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit the Latin American country in the early hours of Saturday. The tremor occurred some 89 kilometers (55.3 miles) to the north of Chile's second largest city Concepcion, some 341 kilometers (212 miles) from the capital of Santiago.

According to the latest reports, the death toll from the quake has leapt to 78.

Several aftershocks, including one that measured 6.9 on the Richter scale, followed the initial quake.

The Santiago Airport has been shut down for at least 24 hours as the result of the earthquake. Many parts of Santiago and Concepcion are without power.

Some 50 nations have been placed under a tsunami advisory. Areas of concern are the Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia, Australia, and Japan. Russia's Far Eastern region was also advised, but local emergency authorities have stated that the region is in no danger.

MOSCOW, February 27 (RIA Novosti)

 

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