MARIA ELENA, Chile – A major earthquake in northern Chile crushed cars, damaged thousands of houses, blocked roads and terrified people for hundreds of miles around yesterday. Chilean authorities reported at least two deaths and more than 100 injuries.
The quake, which struck at 12:40 p.m., shook the Chilean capital, Santiago, 780 miles to the south of the epicenter.
The U.S. Geological Survey calculated the magnitude at 7.7. It was followed by several aftershocks, including three larger than magnitude 5.
Two women were killed in Tocopilla, 25 miles from the epicenter, when their houses collapsed, authorities said. Hospital director Juan Urrutia said at least 100 people were treated there for injuries or panic.
In Tocopilla, 100 houses were destroyed and an additional 2,500, or 40 percent of the city's total, were damaged, officials said. About 1,200 homes were damaged in Maria Elena – 70 percent of the city's total.
Associated Press
Georgia plans to lift state of emergency
TBILISI, Georgia – Georgia will lift its state of emergency tomorrow, parliament Speaker Nino Burjanadze said yesterday, but a court order looked likely to keep the main opposition TV station off the air.
Rupert Murdoch's News Corp., which controls Imedi, the country's main opposition TV station, said it was told yesterday that Imedi's license had been suspended and all its equipment impounded by court order.
Reuters
Polish troops charged in 6 Afghans' deaths
WARSAW, Poland – Prosecutors charged six Polish soldiers yesterday with murder and violating international law in the deaths of six civilians in an allegedly unprovoked attack in Afghanistan.
A seventh soldier involved in the Aug. 16 attack on Nangarkhel village faces lesser charges, said Karol Frankowski, a military prosecutor in the western city of Poznan.
Associated Press
Leaders of 2 Koreas discuss aid package
SEOUL, South Korea – A meeting of prime ministers from the two Koreas was held yesterday for the first time in 15 years to discuss details of a massive aid package to help rebuild the impoverished North's infrastructure.
In Vienna, a U.S. envoy said progress has been made toward answering suspicions North Korea tried to enrich uranium for atom bombs.
Reuters
