Earthquake 5M Rocks Illapel Again

An earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter Scale has again rocked Illapel, Chile. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck at 21:24 UTC on Oct. 24, 2015. No immediate reports of casualties were given, but it is feared the quake, like many to hit Chile this month, has left a trail of structural damage to most buildings in Illapel.

Chile’s National Emergency Office (ONEMI) has issued alerts to nearby cities, which have been affected by this recurring seismic event. The USGS reports that the quake hit: 35km (22mi) NW of Illapel, Chile, 59km (37mi) NW of Salamanca, Chile, and 96km (60mi) SSW of both Ovale and Monte Patria, Chile. It is feared the 5 magnitude (M) earthquake might trigger another tsunami in Illapel, which can negatively impact on the humanitarian assistance that ONEMI has sought for the hapless residents.

Jorge Burges, Chile’s interior minister, is set to visit Illapel after the 5M earthquake. Other humanitarian organizations, such as World Vision and the Red Cross, are reported to be offering assistance to the shaken residents, who now live in constant fear of the natural disaster. However, the Interior Ministry has of late given a number of disaster management skills to the Chileans, after a series of strong earthquakes in their country.

By Shepherd Mutsvara
Edited by Leigh Haugh

Sources:
USGS National Earthquake Information Center, PDE (U.S.)
Image Courtesy of Stephen Zopf’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License