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Canada's Response to the Earthquake in Chile

Collapsed bridge near the epicenter of the earthquake that struck the coast of Chile in 2010

Response | Travel | Assistance | How Canadians can help | Media Centre | Photo Gallery

A strong earthquake of magnitude 8.8 struck near the coast of Chile on February 27, 2010. This was the country's largest earthquake in 25 years. The earthquake generated a tsunami, which affected a coastal strip of more than 500 kilometres, and numerous aftershocks continue to cause damage.

Reports indicate that hundreds of people have been killed and that the earthquake caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Power and telecommunications have been severely disrupted. Canadian government officials are currently assessing the situation to clarify the extent of the damage in Chile as well as to assess the potential impact on Canadians who are present in the country.

Government Response to the Earthquake

Map of earthquake in Chile (Source: U.S. Geological Survey)
Source : U.S. Geological Survey
  • Also on March 2, Canadian Embassy officials arrived in the city of Concepción to gain a first hand assessment of the extent of the damage and to make contact with Canadians believed to be in the region, but with whom the Embassy had not yet been able to make contact. The department is now providing consular assistance to those Canadians whom we have been able to contact.  

Travel Reports

Travel Report and Warnings

Please consult our Chile Travel Report.

Assistance for Canadians in Chile

Canadians seeking emergency consular assistance in the area should contact the Emergency Operations Centre or call 613-996-8885 collect. The Operations Centre of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How Canadians Can Help

The best way for Canadians to help is to donate money—not clothing or food—to the registered charity of your choice. In order to avoid potential fraud, we urge you to check to see if your preferred charity is registered before you give.

More information for those who would like to help:

Media Centre

Information on the Region