With the death toll remaining stable at just over 700 since Saturday’s earthquake, desperation is growing in areas of the country worst hit three days ago by the 8.8-magnitude tremor.

Scenes broadcast on local television emphasized further damage to the Maule and Biobio regions from what many are calling a ‘full tsunami.’ “It’s worse than what we imagined, than what we see in the media,” reporter Rafael Araneda told local channel TVN. “This is going to take a lot of time, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of help… You can see the sea went inland one or two kilometers,” he said from Constitucion.

Areneda toured the home of a local resident, where rubble completely covered the streets outside and signs of water levels could be seen above the door frame. The house normally is four blocks from the ocean.

Some local news coverage criticized the navy and government for downplaying the severity of the tsunami that followed in the wake of Saturday morning’s 8.8-magnitude earthquake, which killed at least 724 and left more than a million homeless, many still without food, water, electricity or communication with the outside world.

Military presence have been increased and curfews enforced in an effort to quell looting and chaos; residents desperate for food and water, as well as others who are taking advantage of the breakdown of infrastructure by stealing electronics and other goods.

Public Works Minister Sergio Bitar told local reporters that officials would be “extremely tough” on anyone involved in looting. Meanwhile, residents of Talcahuano were reportedly wearing white ribbons to distinguish themselves from looters.

In Concepcion, a large fire consumed La Polar superstore, and streets had bumper to bumper traffic, vehicles trying to leave the city, although it was unclear whether they were able to get out.

The Santiago Times spoke with some citizens who were further south than where the earthquake hit and who were prevented from driving north by the lack of available gasoline.

Read more here.

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