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In Concepcion, people loot a supermarket after an 8.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Chile.

Concepcion - Widespread looting has broken out in Chile’s second-largest city a day after a devastating 8.8 magnitude earthquake.

Television images showed people running from supermarkets in Concepcion, Chile’s second-largest city and an industrial hub, carrying diapers and powdered milk. In other places, young men carried out armloads of cigarette cartons. People were also loading up pick-up trucks with clothing and in some cases smaller appliances from department stores.

One piece of video footage showed police shooting tear gas into a supermarket, dispersing looters fleeing with food and other basic necessities.

President Michelle Bachelet earlier met with officials at Onemi, the country’s National Emergency Office, which was created to coordinate relief and recovery efforts following natural disasters in the earthquake-prone country. She left the meeting without making any public comment.

Concepcion, with roughly a million residents, is 70 kilometers from the epicenter. It suffered considerable destruction. Aftershocks from Saturday’s quake have continued to rattle the country.

Officials are expected to make a public address later Sunday.

People hoping to buy things in areas that haven’t been hit with looting may be out of luck if they’re running short on cash. Automatic teller machines aren’t yet operative. Telecommunications and Internet service also remains spotty.
In Santiago, the capital, people are lining up to buy food at upscale supermarkets. Sunday newspapers had gone to print, with advertisements listing which supermarkets would be open

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