Quake leaves about 800 dead in Chile

CHILE: Chiles National Emergency Office confirmed on Monday that the number of dead caused by the 8.8 earthquake that hit the South American country early Saturday morning is about 800.

According to the director of that entity, the quake, considered one the biggest in the country's history ever, also left about 2 million victims and 500,000 houses destroyed in Maule and Concepcion regions, south and center Chile.

The United Nations said on Monday that it will speed up the aid delivery, following a Chilean government's call for international support in order to recover from the quake. On Sunday, President Michelle Bachelet talked to first president-elect Sebastian Piera about the current dramatic situation in the country and the exception measures at the affected areas. Maule and Concepcion regions, which are under curfew due to food and other products looting, are now controlled by two Army generals, along with civil authorities.

Santiago, Tuesday (Prensa Latina)