An 8.8 magnitude earthquake causes state of catastrophe in Chile

The seventh-strongest earthquake ever recorded struck Chile this past Saturday.

A resulting tsunami threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean. The quake was felt as far as 1,800 miles away from the epicenter in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.8, resulting in at least 147 deaths, according to Carmen Fernandez, director of the National Emergency Agency.

There was no word of death or damage from many of the outlying areas due to collapsed roads and bridges, in addition to electricity, water and phone lines being cut to many areas.

President Michelle Bachelet has declared central Chile to be in a “state of catastrophe.”

However, the government is not asking for assistance from other countries. “The system is functioning,” Bachelet said. “People should remain calm. We’re doing everything we can with all the forces we have.”