Chile earhquake

On February 27 an 8.8 earthquake occurred off the coast of the Maule Region of Chile. The earthquake resulted in Santiago's national Fine Arts Museum was badly damaged. An apartment building's two-story parking lot collapsed, smashing about 50 cars. According to one health official, three hospitals in Santiago collapsed, and a dozen more south of the capital also suffered significant damage. About two million people have been affected by the quake with more than 500,000 houses completely damaged. Tsunami warnings were issued in 53 countries, and a tsunami was recorded, with amplitude of up to 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) high, at Valparaíso.It was estimated that the intensity of the earthquake was 9 on the Mercalli scale in the Biobío Region and 8 in Santiago. The earthquake resulted in chaos and disorder all over the country. Prisoners, riots broke out all over the country and the government had to diapatch the police to settle the problems.