4:30pm Thursday 4th March 2010
Former Settle man Richard Nicholson, who now lives in the Chilean capital Santiago, has been speaking of the moment the country was hit by a powerful earthquake.
He was in his flat when the 8.8-magnitude quake struck in the early hours of Saturday, killing more than 700 people.
The epicentre was near the town of Concepcion, 320 miles away, but the effects of the quake – the most powerful to hit the nation in 50 years – could still be felt in Santiago, where there was widespread damage.
“I was lucky. The only damage in our flat was a broken microwave and a few plates,” said Richard, a pupil at Skipton’s Ermysted’s Grammar School before moving away in 1999.
“Most of Saturday was spent contacting worried relatives and friends at home, watching the news reports coming in of some of the major damage to the Maule area. Bridges collapsed, cars flipped, fly-overs broken into many segments, factory fires and building collapses... utter devastation.
“All of this was accompanied by frequent, often strong or prolonged, aftershocks. It certainly made for a day to remember. Around late lunchtime I took a walk around the barrio [the neighbourhood]. There had been some minor structural damage.
“Trying to find food was more difficult. The only shops open were full of people and were emptying of food. Thankfully Ñuñoa (the barrio in Santiago where I live) has come through it lightly and most of the city is in good shape.
“Further south, however, the story changes. The major towns have been devastated and, if it was difficult to find food here, then other places must be struggling. Larger supermarkets have been looted, with the police and even the army sent in to ‘restore order’ and ‘protect businesses’ with reports of gunfire.
“Insurance here is less common and most policies don’t cover earthquake damage. Even as far as Santiago there are a number of large buildings that are now uninhabitable. A friend bought a flat in a new building which, despite being only six years old, is now uninhabitable.
“In general, though, I’ve been impressed with the reaction of the Chilean people to the disaster. The mood on Saturday was one of tension, with recurring aftershocks and not knowing about families. But people remained calm and are more than anything following pre-prepared plans for dealing with such things.
“Even in the regions further south where the damage is far, far greater, people seem to be coping and dealing with the problems as well as possible. Today the mood is more one of relief, with thoughts turning towards reconstruction.
“Though the road to recovery will be long and expensive, and no doubt laced with problems, broken promises and need for international support, I’m confident that the people of the country will come together to resolve the problems.”
Chile is used to large earthquakes. The largest on record – 9.5 on the scale – happened in Chile in 1960.
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