Though the initial danger has long since passed, those living in southern Chile are still worried about aftershocks.
The country was hit by a 8.8 earthquake on Saturday. More than 800 people have been confirmed dead, and 500,000 homes have been damaged.
Construction workers have started to demolish apartments and other buildings that were badly damaged in the temblor. It’s likely that more bodies will be found underneath the rubble.
Meanwhile, police and residents alike are cracking down on looters that were taking advantage of the chaos in the city of Concepcion. Thousands of soldiers arrived in the region and a strict curfew was put in place to halt theft. The looting and isolated acts of arson had threatened to ruin Chile's hard-earned reputation for stability.
Aid is beginning to arrive in the troubled region, including money from Canada. Ottawa says it will provide up to $2 million in urgent humanitarian assistance.
Foreign Affairs says it has reached 746 Canadians in Chile and is still seeking to locate a further 256 Canadians. The department says there are no indications of Canadian casualties so far.
In Toronto, the city council chambers were overflowing with people and emotion Wednesday night as hundreds from the city’s Chilean community gathered to discuss their response to the recent earthquake that’s devastated their home country.
“My family is back home. That’s where I was born…And now I watch the news and I see my people without food and water and they’re taking diapers from the babies and I can’t sleep at night” said Anned Tarehansen.
There are 45-thousand Chileans that call Toronto home.
With files from The Canadian Press.
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