Monday night 1st March

I have gradually been getting more information.

I got to chat with two friends from Santiago on Facebook, they are on a 10th and an 11th floor. They both reported how harrowing the movement of the buildings and the shattering of things falling and braking were. Some other friends here have told me that their relatives had their doors jammed and had to use tools to open it or get people to break in to let them free. Most areas of Santiago these days are full of high-rise buildings, so most people live in apartments. However, people living in apartments seem to have suffered more material damage, as although the buildings are earthquake resistant, that makes them sway more in an earthquake. Both these friends were going to spend the night at friends who live in houses. Elevators, to get back to their places, would not work for no power or be broken down. Another friend here told me that a relative of hers on a 23rd floor, had windows broken, which is not very nice when you're trying to get out in the dark.... I bet after this, lots of Chileans are going to rethink the idea of living in apartments.