Santiago: The families of 20 people killed in a tsunami that followed Chile`s massive February 27 quake are suing state officials they say failed to warn them of the dangers they faced.
"Up to now, I have had contact with the families of at least 20 victims from various parts of the country devastated by the tsunami. With them we will study the type of legal actions that can be taken," Alfredo Morgado, a lawyer who has taken on the case, said yesterday.
The first plaintiffs to pursue legal action are two men who were vacationing with their wives in the port town of Dichato when the massive 8.8-magnitude quake struck.
Shortly after, they began fleeing to higher ground, they heard a radio message issued by the country`s emergency management agency Onemi and declarations made by then-president Michelle Bachelet saying there was no tsunami threat.
The four returned to their home, but a huge wave smashed into the town shortly afterwards, killing the two women.
"These people heard on the radio (messages) from top authorities saying there was no risk of a tsunami," Morgado said.
"They said clearly and categorically to the people that they could return to their homes, that there was no risk of a tsunami," he added.
PTI
