Even though the earthquake that rattled Northern Chile was a powerful magnitude 8.2 temblor, the human toll was very low.  Six people died, and most of them suffered heart attacks after the quake struck, and the others were crushed by collapsing walls.

Two-meter tsunami waves also crashed against the coast causing damage to scores of fishing boats on Chile’s northern coast, and more than 2,600 homes were damaged or destroyed.  Many of the 900,000 Chileans who heeded the call to evacuate the coastal area were allowed to return, only to find their homes and livelihoods is sad shape.  The worst-hit cities are Iquique and Arica

Some roads were torn up or blocked by landslides, and power outages were being repaired.  But much of the infrastructure is okay.  Chile’s copper mines appear to have been spared any break in production.

Chile deployed the military to try to recapture scores of inmates who escaped from a women’s prison who made use of the new exit when the quake crumbled a prison wall.  293 escaped, 131 returned voluntarily.