Loose tiles and cracks: the damage left by the earthquake in Lebu in some hospitals in the area

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As a result of the earthquake of 6.2 that affected the south central zone of the country this Saturday night, authorities of the province of Arauco, Bío Bío region, reported the balance of the critical infrastructure of affected hospitals.

After the series of earthquakes that occurred this Saturday night, the critical infrastructure was affected, mainly the health facilities, being part of the concern of the population and the authorities of Bío Bío.

The perceived earthquakes brought to mind the strong aftershocks of the earthquake suffered in 2010, frightening the population.

According to the reports provided by the authorities, the movements caused various inconveniences, such as power outages in much of Concepción. In addition to minor damage to buildings and other infrastructure.

In the province of Arauco and Coronel there were almost 15,000 customers affected by the lack of electricity supply. In the Curanilahue Hospital, the movement forced the evacuation of the maternity ward due to a crack that appeared in the wall.

Balance of critical infrastructure

The presidential delegate of Biobio, Daniela Dresdner, headed the Disaster Risk Management Committee, where she reported on the balance of the critical infrastructure in the area after the series of earthquakes.

“We are talking about six earthquakes approximately, of which there is one of greater intensity that reached 6.2of the richter scale. What worried us most were the power outages that have occurred in Lebu, Coronel and in a small part of Los Álamos”, Desdner explained.

In the same way, he specified that & # 8220; we have also had some health problems . In Curanilahue there was some tile detachment, but nothing more serious than that. Anyway, it’s being monitored”.

Specifically, only in the Curanilahue UPC Service itself was there slight damage, in addition of registering the fall of an oxygen tank on a patient, but without injuries. After this, the green patients remained in the corridor as a precaution.

Likewise, from the Arauco Health Service, issued information delivered by directors of the different health establishments.

In general, of the four remaining hospitals in the area, none resulted in infrastructure damage.

Panic “unnecessary”

Let us remember that, also the danger of a tsunami by the Onemi Bío Bío was ruled out. This was stated by the director(s), Andrea Aravena.

“We had a report from the Hydrological and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy, which indicates 12 minutes after the earthquake occurred, that it does not meet the conditions to generate a tsunami on the coasts of the region, which was immediately reported from Onemi”, detailed Aravena.

In the commune of Lebu, people began to flee to the hills, mainly by vehicle. This generated huge blocks on the roads, assured the delegate of the province of Arauco, Humberto Toro.

“People, in the chaos of Lebu, return to their homes calmly, because there is no risk of a tsunami. And, because at the same time all the reviews have been carried out by the Port Authority in the coastal sector, therefore, the call is for them to return to their homes in a calm manner“, Toro indicated during the early morning.

The authorities were categorical in pointing out that the collapse in the gas stations was absolutely unnecessary, forcing users to return to their homes.

From the Enap plant in Talcahuano, they recognized that one of the chimneys generated more flame than normal, where they assured that it was a normal situation in the face of the emergency.

Finally, of the 8 main and outstanding earthquakes, there were a couple more that were also registered in the National Seismological Center.