JUST NOW: Catastrophic Earthquake Strikes, Leaving Over 81 Missing and the City in Ruins…see more…

A massive earthquake of unprecedented magnitude rocked Santiago, Chile, earlier this morning, leaving a path of destruction and chaos in its wake. With the city still reeling from the shock, authorities have confirmed that at least 81 people are missing, and the number is feared to rise as search and rescue operations continue. The devastating quake, which struck at 6:42 AM local time, measured 7.8 on the Richter scale and lasted nearly two minutes, creating widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses throughout the capital.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located just 30 miles south of Santiago, but the tremors were felt across the region and as far as Argentina to the east. Buildings collapsed, roads buckled, and power outages were reported across the city as the seismic event caused chaos in one of South America’s busiest urban centers. Thousands of residents were left stranded as communication lines were severed and transportation systems were paralyzed.

In the heart of the city, downtown Santiago was left in ruins. Several high-rise buildings, including the iconic Torre Titanium La Portada, were severely damaged, with parts of the structure now reduced to rubble. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but their efforts were hindered by the widespread destruction. As of this evening, more than 200 people have been rescued from the debris, but local officials warn that the worst may still be yet to come.

“We are in the midst of a catastrophe,” said Sebastián Pérez, the mayor of Santiago, in a statement to the press. “The number of missing persons is growing by the hour, and the damage to infrastructure is beyond what we could have imagined. Our primary focus right now is on saving lives, and we are working around the clock to search for survivors. We ask for patience as we assess the full scope of the destruction.”

The quake struck just as residents were beginning their day, with many still at home or on their way to work. Some were caught in the chaos as buildings crumbled and streets cracked open, while others fled into the streets in panic. Hospitals in the area are overwhelmed with the injured, and emergency crews are doing everything they can to provide medical assistance.

“There were screams, the ground was shaking, and then everything went dark. I don’t know how I made it out of there,” said Carolina Fernández, a local teacher, who narrowly escaped a collapsing office building. “It’s been hours, and I still can’t reach anyone. I’m terrified for my family.”

In addition to the loss of life, there are growing concerns over the city’s critical infrastructure. Water supply systems have been damaged, and there are fears of further aftershocks that could cause even more destruction. Rescue teams from across Chile and international aid have been deployed to assist with recovery efforts, but the situation remains dire.

Santiago’s emergency services are urging residents to stay away from affected areas to allow first responders to work unhindered. Roadblocks have been set up, and authorities are coordinating evacuations from the most heavily damaged neighborhoods.

The full scale of the destruction is still being evaluated, but early estimates indicate that hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and thousands more have been damaged. With the aftershocks continuing to tremble through the region, experts are warning that the city could face a long and difficult road to recovery.

As night falls, Santiago is a city in mourning, its citizens anxiously waiting for word on their loved ones, hoping for miracles amid the ruins. Search operations are expected to continue into the night, with the hope that more survivors can be found in the rubble.

End of report.