Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Concepcion (Agenzia Fides) – "The earthquake occurred at 3:34 am on February 27. There has long aftershock right away. I thought 'this will pass' - in Chile we are accustomed to some shocks now and then - but after 30 seconds it did not pass and, indeed, it increased with frightening intensity. Things started to crash, noises, the electricity went out ... I stayed in my bed. Once the shocks were over, I went down into the courtyard. I found the other priests and we checked to make sure we were all there and that no one had been hurt..." This is the story of how the earthquake was experienced by Fr. Roberto Simionato, Superior of the “Orionini” (Opera Don Orione) in Chile, contacted by the Superior General of the “Opera,” who sent Fides information gathered after the earthquake.
Almost the entire area of Concepcion was hit. Concepcion, coastal city of 200,000 inhabitants, is the closest to the epicenter: houses collapsed, roads sunk 3 meters. There were fires, a blackout, no water and working phone lines. Santiago is located over 430 km from Concepcion, but the quake shook buildings and caused blackouts in some districts of the capital, where the airport was closed and canceled flights. There are also a few collapsed bridges and there are difficulties with phone lines and transportation.
Fr. Roberto Simionato reassures: "We are all well. There was no serious damage to the houses. There was great fear, but no harm came to the people: nor brothers, sisters, or guests." Reviewing the Case of the “Opera,” from North to South, Fr. Simionato reports that from the first information they have received, Iquique seems to be fine, while in Santiago, in the houses, in the “Little Cottolengo,” in schools, parishes, chapels, and in the Sisters' houses, there was some damage done to windows, walls, etc., but nothing serious in the structures of our buildings. The parish church, which is a big old building, has suffered more damage. The Provincial House has suffered damages on the top floor. The ceiling has fallen down, along with plaster, books, cabinets ... It was scary, but there were no serious consequences." At Rancagua, they reported damage especially to the church, which dates back to colonial times and will need work before opening its doors again. In Quintero, on the coast near Valparaiso, the damage was not significant, but there were only broken windows, cracks, falling plaster. “Los Angeles is our home closest to the epicenter in the region of Concepcion,” Fr. Roberto continues. “Our church has resisted, but because it was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1960. But all the other buildings, built years ago, will have to be redone. The school is new and has withstood, apart from the damage to windows, ceilings, and some other elements.
Fr. Simionato highlights the Providential circumstances. "Thank God the earthquake occurred at night and on a Saturday. Imagine if it had happened on a Monday morning, with 1,700 boys at school, even with just glass and fallen debris, much worser things could have happened."
In another statement, Fr. Simionato states that "As time passes, we start seeing that the disaster has been worse than we first thought. The government recognizes the fact that it has yet to reach places that are still isolated. Upon arrival, you discover further damage, deaths, etc... " In Los Angeles, they are still without electricity and water. "You can imagine trying to manage a “Cottolengo” of 107 people without power," says Fr. Simionato, stressing that the situation is very delicate. "On the other hand there is the satisfaction of seeing that we have employees who are not just employees, but part of the family (not all, of course, but almost everyone!). In Los Angeles, the ladies who care for our old people are not lacking for work. They all come, even if they have their own problems in their home. In Santiago, they remained until the end of a shift, from 3:34 (time of the earthquake) till 7, so as not to abandon the children, without even being able to communicate with their on families to hear from them. Another, who was on her day off, came in that morning to take the place of anyone who might be missing, which indeed occurred. It is good to be aware of these acts, because otherwise we only hear the news of those who enter homes to steal or go and loot the shops. In Chile there is much more, thank God!" (CE) (Agenzia Fides 01/03/2010)
