Chile Earthquake - Advice for Travellers

If You're Due To Leave For Chile

If you are due to travel to Chile following the Chile earthquake you are advised to contact your tour operator for the most up to date advice specifically relating to your travel arrangements.

Information provided by the FCO states that Santiago International Airport has been closed due to earthquake damage to the terminal and control building, and is officially closed until further notice. Passengers strongly are advised to check with their airline before travelling to Santiago airport.

Travel within Chile is still very limited by quake damage caused to freeways and local roads. Among the main roads blocked is the Pan-American highway. The earthquake has also caused two road flyovers in Santiago to collapse.

However, it is reported that one Metro line within Santiago is back in operation, with more expected to reopen towards the end of the week.

Chile Earthquake: Information on Affected Areas

The cities of Concepcion, Talca and Santiago are reported to have been the heaviest affected. Maule and Biobio are regions which have both been classified as "states of catastrophe" by the Chilean government and the FCO advises (on 02 March 2010) that all but essential travel to the areas mentioned here should be avoided until further notice.

If you are Currently in Chile

British nationals and travellers in Chile concerned about their stay in Chile following the earthquake should contact the local authorities asap for further advice, or the Foreign or Commonwealth office (+44 207 008 0000).

For the latest travel advice and up-to-date news on the earthquake in Chile, you can log on to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website for further Chile earthquake travel advice.

If you know someone in Chile

If you have concerns regarding someone you know in the affected areas of Chile, please telephone the British Embassy on 00 56 2 370 4155.