largest earthquake 9.6 magnitude ever recorded was also in Chile

An 8.8 magnitude is among the most powerful earthquakes to have the hit the world in recent past. Far less powerful earthquakes in the past have killed many more people and destroyed entire regions.

But the worst earthquake in the history also took place in Chile in sixties of the last century when an earthquake of around 9.6 magnitude struck the nation killing around 1600 people.

In the meantime telephone contacts have still not been established with the city of Concepcion, the main centre of the earthquake.

European Union has been the first block to offer assistance of whatever kind is required.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet announced here Saturday a "state of catastrophe" in the central areas of her country following a massive earthquake of 8.8 magnitude on the Richter scale that hit the country.

President Bachelet held a meeting with her top aides on the earthquake after being informed that the body count rose up to 47 following a preliminary estimate of 6 that she made earlier, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported.

Further, president Bachelet appealed for her people to keep calm and contact the local authorities when it is necessary, saying "our country was afflicted with a big earthquake, we are engrossed in detecting the consequences of such earthquake, the road and hospital conditions, the damage done to the buildings, and of course the number of casualties." Chile was hit by a devastating earthquake of 9.5 magnitude in 1960, Killing 1655 people in southern Phaldivia city and bringing brought about a Tsunami that hit Easter island, 3700 k.m off the Chilean coast as well as affecting Hawai islands, Japan and the Philippines.

Bachelet said that "a tsunami" hit the archipelago of Juan Fernadiz in the pacific ocean and advised residents of the coasts to head for the high grounds in the event of aftershocks, warning citizens of the consequences of using the external roads as many of them were damaged due to the collapse of bridges.

The state television said that a conflagration broke out in Kolina city, 20 k.m. away from the north of the capital city, though it was put down. Further, the authorities had to evacuate a number of hospitals in some areas including Santiago after being severely damaged.