US looking for American citizens in Chile quake zone; no deaths or injuries reported

US seeks American citizens in Chile quake zone

CONCEPCION, Chile — The U.S. Embassy in Chile says it is working to locate between 700 and 1,200 American citizens believed to be in that country’s earthquake zone.

Embassy press attache Paul Watzlavick says the embassy activated its phone warden network, which is based on a registry of U.S. citizens in Chile. Thirty Americans have been located so far in the quake area, and there is no word of deaths of injuries.

Watzlavick said Wednesday the embassy has a team on the ground and is working closely with Chilean authorities.

People wishing to contact family either in the U.S. or Chile can call:

U.S. Embassy: (56-2) 330-3000

State Department: 1-888-407-4747

or visit

www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ci/earthquake/index.htm

Citizens also can contact the Chile Task Force by e-mail at ChileEarthquake -at- state.gov