Here is some news from Lota, not far from the epicenter, where the Assumptionists have a community and two schools (1-8 and 9-12). Lota is located on the Pacific Ocean just south of Concepción. There is a coastal area (Lota Bajo) and an elevated area (Lota Alto).

"The promontory in Lota Alto has split in two, other, smaller hills as well.
Houses in certain sections of the city remain unstable; many have collapsed.
The highway to Arauca is heavily damaged.
People are living in tents and drinking water from broken water mains.
There is no gas or electricity.
Stores are being looted. The government is sending troops to patrol the streets.
Fortunately, no tsunami hit here.
Our grammar school, Francisco de Crozé, sustained some damage: the entrance wall has collapsed and other walls have been weakened and will need to be repaired or replaced.
Our high school, Emmanuel d'Alzon, suffered damage as well; lots of equipment and furniture has been damaged. There is fear that much of the foundation may have been compromised.

Fortunately, none of our religious was hurt."

Fr. Nelson Egaña, AA
Monday, March 1, 2010

"Everything is unstable ... outages of electricity, water, Internet, and telephone. A good part of the country is in ruins.
We are doing well. We were able to celebrate Masses outside in the grotto today. We couldn't open the basilica to pilgrims. There were very few visitors here today since there is very little public transportation running. The subway line closest to the shrine has been closed for safety reasons.
Thanks for all the prayers.
We are worried that we have no news from Lota. Unconfirmed reports have arrived indicating that our school has collapsed."

Bro Ramón, aa
Sunday, February 28, 2010

The Assumptionists have four houses in Santiago, one in the port city of Valparaíso, two in Rengo, an hour south of Santiago, and one in Lota, just 30 miles south of Concepción, near the epicenter of the earthquake (400 miles south of Santiago) . Lota is a poor, former coal-mining town on the Pacific Ocean where we have a huge parish and a school (elementary and high school).

Please donate now to support the Assumptionists in Chile. Thank you!

"At 3:05 this morning an earthquake struck. There are deaths; the number is unknown.

I have no news at this time of Concepción, Cauquenes, Chillán (near the epicenter). Historic Talca is in ruins. There is a lot of damage in Santiago. Once again stained glass windows have fallen in our basilica. There are large cracks in the structure of there building itself.

Bridges have fallen. There is word that the church in Providencia has been razed.

None of the religious here has been hurt. We are fine, but haven't had much sleep since the whole house was shaken. Things have fallen everywhere and not a book remains on the shelves, at least wherever I have looked.

I just got outside during a strong aftershock.

Our house has sustained enormous damage.

All we can do is pray.

We will have to raise funds to help others and ourselves.

Electricity just returned. That's why I am writing. We can't contact our religious in the south (N.B. Lota is about 100 miles south of the epicenter)."

Bro Ramón, a.a.
Saturday, February 27, 2010