Chilean earthquake victims protest lack of shelter and utilities

2014-04-05 338

Almost 500 people turned out to protest against officials’ slow response to the earthquake that hit Chile earlier in the week.

The 8.2 magnitude quake killed seven people, including a new-born baby who died from hypothermia.

Quake victims are sleeping in makeshift tents and complain that water and electricity has not yet been restored.

The city of Iquique in the north of the country was one of the most affected areas.

President Michelle Bachelet has declared the regions of Tarapaca, Arica city and the Parinacota province disaster zones and says they will be allocated emergency recovery funds.

An 8.8 magnitude quake struck the country in 2010, followed by a devastating tsunami.

More than 500 people died and there was widespread looting, leading many to criticise Bachelet’s handling of the crisis.

This time, Bachelet sent soldiers in to reinforce security and order, attracting praise from the UN

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