At least one Katy area woman is carefully watching news reports coming out of earthquake-ravaged Chile while trying desperately to reach family members in one of that nation’s hardest-hit areas.
Martina Soler, who now lives in Cinco Ranch, came to the United States three years ago to study advanced health care techniques.
Since the 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Feb. 27, she has spent most of her time trying to reach her family in the devastated city of Concepcion. With a population of more than 225,000, Concepcion is the second-largest city in Chile and the largest population center near the epicenter of the quake.
Soler said she was able to contact a cousin in Santiago who told her not to try to return to Concepcion because of the damage and danger.
“It’s been very frustrating; I feel like my medical skills could be put to use, but from what (my cousin) said, everything in Concepcion is damaged or destroyed,” Soler said. “I haven’t been able to find out anything about my parents or three brothers. I’ve been watching the news day and night and trying to call through (to family members). I don’t think I’ve slept more than three or four hours since (the earthquake) happened.”
Reports that rescuers have been digging furiously through rubble in Concepcion trying to find those trapped have made Soler’s vigil even more difficult.
“They say there are people trapped that they can hear calling for help, but they can’t get there. It’s horrible,” she said.
Soler said she has been torn between flying to Santiago and trying to travel overland to Concepcion, but the quake’s epicenter was located roughly between the two cities and ground transportation is said to be virtually impossible. Additionally, Concepcion has no electricity, no water and is experiencing rampant looting.
Yesterday, six aid workers were reported killed when the small private plane they were traveling in crashed enroute from Santiago to Concepcion.
Still, Soler said her heart is telling her to go home.
“I’m just waiting to see how I can get there,” she said. “I need to find my family and I need to do what I can to help my people. That’s why I came (to the United States), so I can learn and take that education back home.”
On Monday, rescuers heard signs of life in the wreckage of a 15-story, 70-unit apartment building in Concepcion and began working to locate survivors. Firefighters had previously pulled two dozen survivors and eight dead bodies from the same pile of debris.
Looting, lawlessness and a lack of services continue to be critical concerns. Police and soldiers say they have made arrests for looting and curfew violations, but many residents say the hardest-hit areas are virtually lawless.
The epicenter of the massive quake was offshore from the Maule Region, approximately five miles west of Curanipe and about 70 miles north-northeast of Concepcion. A number of coastal villages were first flattened by the earthquake and then inundated by a tsunami. Numerous strong aftershocks continue to rock the region.
The current death toll has exceeded 700 people; however, most authorities expect that number to continue to climb as more victims are found.
