Chile’s top official in the United States says he is extremely grateful for all of the support his country has received in the wake of this morning’s powerful earthquake. Chilean Ambassador Jose Goni told Fox News that government officials in Chile are still assessing the damage and it is too early to know what assistance, if any, is necessary. “We have received a very strong reaction and very strong solidarity from the government, from the White House, the Department of State, the Department of Defense and private institutions,” Jose Goni said late Saturday afternoon.
Amb. Goni said the earthquake is a shock for the Chilean people and estimates that 1.5 million homes are damaged with 500,000 of those inhabitable. An official in Chile says more than 200 people were killed by the earthquake.
Goni talked about a conversation he had with National Security Advisor Jim Jones who offered American assistance. “We are extremely grateful for all of this support and concern,” Goni said. Earlier in the day, the White House released a statement detailing a phone call between President Obama and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet. The end of that statement said Bachelet thanked Obama for his call and that she would follow up if her country needs support.