Chileans mark quake anniversary:

Fresh quake hits Chile again

CHILE: Thousands of Chileans gathered Sunday to mark the anniversary of a massive earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country’s central region, killing more than 500 people and leaving 220,000 families homeless.

Before the day was out, at 10:29 pm , a 6.0 magnitude quake shook the central region on the anniversary, according to the US Geological Survey. There were no reports of damage or injury, however.

Families, friends and government officials assembled in Cobquecura, a village near the epicentre of the 8.8 magnitude earthquake, and in Dichato, a fishing village that was nearly wiped off the map by the tsunami.

Some huddled around candles, prayed, held a Mass and or meditated to music.

At the ceremonies, a moment of silence was held at 0634 GMT, the time the earthquake struck, described by President Sebastian Pinera in Cobquecura as among the strongest in recorded history.

“The year 2010 was a very harsh one that we will never forget, but also a very fertile year,” the president said, noting the outpouring of support among Chileans for the victims, and other events including the Bicentennial of Chile and the rescue of 33 miners trapped underground.

“We have seen pain, but we have also seen greatness,” Pinera said.

In Dichato, three-fourths of which was destroyed by tsunami waves, residents assembled on the beach around a memorial they built.

In Constitucion and Talcahuano, floating candles and flowers dropped from boats served as a reconciliation with the deadly ocean.

The earthquake and tsunami on February 27 last year killed 524 people, caused $30 billion dollars in damage and led to an inquiry over the lack of a timely tsunami warning. Another 31 people are still listed as missing. It was the seventh-largest earthquake ever by magnitude, according to the US Geological Survey. The worst was a 9.5 magnitude earthquake, also in Chile, on May 22, 1960. That quake and subsequent tsunami killed 1,655 people in Chile.

In Concepcion, the city hardest hit by last year’s earthquake, a vigil was held around the rubble of what was a 14-story building.

The building, where rescuers spent a week searching for survivors, became a symbol of the tragedy.

Masses followed the commemorations in several cities, the biggest and most symbolic being held in an open-air plaza in Constitucion, whose cathedral was destroyed a year ago.

Concepcion, Monday, AFP