Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs is advising travellers to monitor the situation in Chile closely after an 8.3 magnitude quake triggered a tsunami off the country’s central coast.
According to the Smartraveller, Chilean authorities have confirmed that the death toll has risen to ten over night – three dying of heart attacks and two crushed by falling rocks.
Coastal cities have experienced major flooding and around one million people have been evacuated, including those from Coquimbo, which was struck by waves reaching 4.5 metres high.
Communications and power supplies in the country may also be affected.
“In the seven provinces from Atacama to Araucanía. Australians on Chile’s coast should monitor local media for latest developments and follow local advice.”
DFAT
Qantas has confirmed that there are no flight delays and their service is operating as normal.
LAN informs that some of its normally scheduled flights have been delayed due to the earthquake that impacted Chile on the evening of September 16th. The Santiago International Airport remains open.
LAN regrets any inconvenience caused by this event beyond our control and continues to monitor the situation closely. LAN recommends that passengers that have flights scheduled over the next few hours continue to check the Flight Status option on www.lan.com for the most up to date information.
The Company is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of security and quality service.
Photo Credit: Telegraph.co.uk
Meanwhile, tsunami warnings were also issued for Peru, New Zealand, California and Hawaii.
The rough waters are expected to fan out across much of the Pacific Ocean, although the worst of its wrath is expected to hit westward toward French Polynesia, Weather.com reported.
Waves of up to 1.1 feet have started hitting the French Polynesian Island of Rikitea, which sits about 3,900 miles west of Lima in Peru.
In California, rough waves are expected to start coming in at about 4:46 a.m. in Newport Beach and travel swiftly, arriving a minute later in the Port of Los Angeles.
Tsunami warnings has also been sent to residents in eastern coastal areas in New Zealand. Authorities have urged people to stay away from beaches since there are concerns for “unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore”.
Tour provider World Journeys have heard from their operators in Chile this morning, who report that despite the magnitude of yesterday’s earthquake, client travel arrangements have not been affected.
Santiago and its surrounds, San Pedro de Atacama, Puerto Varas and Patagonia are fully operative, with hotels and tourist services being unaffected.
Chile’s connectivity by air and land is running normally and Santiago airport is fully operative, but some flights may be delayed or rescheduled in the short term.
“We are relieved and confident that clients’ travel arrangements are in safe hands, but feel very much for the Chilean people in the affected areas who suffered loss, property damage and great disruption to their lives”
World Journeys
