Global General

International aid starts to arrive in quake-hit Chile

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-03-01 16:00

SANTIAGO: Medical supplies sent by Argentina had arrived in Chile -- the first batch of international relief aid the country has received after Saturday's devastating earthquake, Chile's Defense Ministry said Sunday.

The batch includes three tent hospitals equipped with oxygen generators, water processing equipment, satellite telephones and medicines for disease control, the ministry said.

Of the 94 hospital facilities in the quake-stricken areas, eight were knocked out of operation and 10 were badly damaged, according to health authorities.

Latin American envoys to Chile will meet on Monday to discuss ways of coordinating their countries' relief efforts.

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake hit Chile on Saturday, killing at least 708 people and leaving hundreds of others missing.

Leaders of many countries including China, the United States, Russia, Peru, Bolivia, Venezuela, Mexico, Germany and Nicaragua have sent their condolences to the government and people of Chile while expressing their willingness to provide relief aid.