Chile's Air Force Plane Crash Killed 21 on Board - - Updates: 4 Bodies Recovered, 17 Still Missing

SANTIAGO, September 4, 2011 – Four unidentified dead bodies have been recovered after a Chilean air force plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean with 21 people on board. 

Members of the Chilean navy transport the landing gear of a crashed plane near Juan Fernandez islands about 420 miles off Chile's coast, Sept. 3.

"So far we have found two female bodies and two male bodies; in none of the cases have they been identified," said Air Force chief Maximiliano Larraechea.

The twin-propeller military plane crashed last night off the Juan Fernandez Archipelagos, 600 kilometers (375 miles) west of Chile. The air force earlier said that as the aircraft was "getting closer to the island, radio communication with the plane was lost," prompting a search effort to be launched by Chile's navy and air force.

The definite cause of the plane crash is still not established but strong winds were believed to be causing the light aircraft to be blown from its landing plan.

The air force earlier said that as the aircraft was "getting closer to the island, radio communication with the plane was lost," prompting a search effort to be launched by Chile's navy and air force.

Awesome Photos: Amazing Night-time Scenes over Puyehue volcano due to Volcanic Lightening

SANTIAGO, Chile (June 7) – Volcanic lightning is seen over the Puyehue volcano, over 500 miles south of Santiago, Chile, on Sunday, June 5, 2011. 

Large scale evacuation was forced due to eruption on Sunday in Southern Chile’s Puyehue volcano for the first time in last 50 years, and smoke could be seen swirling into the sky, authorities said.

The explosion that sparked the volcanic eruption also produced a column of gas 10 kilometers (six miles) high, hours after warning of strong seismic activity in the area, the National Service of GeologyGeology and Mining reported.

The volcanic lightening at night-time presented like a beautiful firework on the skies. It was awesome and amazing; therefore I decided to share the collection here. Just see the fireworks of nature on the skies.  

Amazing Night-time Scenes over Puyehue volcano due to Volcanic Lightening

Amazing Night-time Scenes over Puyehue volcano due to Volcanic Lightening

Amazing Night-time Scenes over Puyehue volcano due to Volcanic Lightening

Chile’s Puyehue Volcano Erupted, Forced Large Scale Evacuation

Picture taken in May 1960 of an eruption of Puyehue volcano (AFP/File)

SANTIAGO, Chile (June 5) – Large scale evacuation was forced due to eruption in Southern Chile’s Puyehue volcano for the first time in last 50 years, and smoke could be seen swirling into the sky, authorities said.

The explosion that sparked the volcanic eruption also produced a column of gas 10 kilometers (six miles) high, hours after warning of strong seismic activity in the area, the National Service of Geology and Mining reported.

Red alert warning has been issue by the authorities for the area. Initially government authorities arranged the evacuation of 600 people, expanded that number to 3,500 people to be relocated to shelters in safe areas.

Argentina-Chile border has also been closed temporarily due to eruption.

A huge cloud of ash could be spotted in the Patagonian resort town of Bariloche in Argentina, about 100 kilometers (62 miles) east of the volcano.

Chile Trembled With 6.6-magnitude Earthqake Yet Again on Monday Morning

Santiago- Earlier reported here that on Friday night central Chile was shocked by an earthquake of 6.8-magnitude; about 30 miles (45 kilometers) north of the city of Concepcion. Since then Chile is trembling with after shocks and earthquakes of mild-magnitude; but a fourth earthquake in 24 hours jolted coastal Chile yet again on Monday early in the morning, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The latest earthquake carried 6.6-magnitude and smacked about 60 miles (97 km) west of Talca, Chile, at 12:40 a.m. local time. Earlier three other quakes, ranging magnitudes from 5.6 to 6.0, were centred near Concepcion off the coast of Chile on Sunday morning, about 80 miles south of the latest Talca earthquake. 

The city is still under restoration from an 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck in February 2010, killing hundreds.

Chile's Civil Protection body ONEMI reported that there were neither victims nor material damage.

Central Chile Jolted by Earthquake of 6.8-magnitude; No Danger of Tsunami

CAUQUENES, Chile - Central Chile jolted by an earthquake of 6.8-magnitude; about 30 miles (45 kilometers) north of the city of Concepcion. The epicentre was comparatively close to the coast, at 36 degrees south latitude and 73 degrees west longitude. 

People rushed to the higher places to be safe from possible Tsunami as it happened last year on Feb. 27; when an earthquake of 8.8-magnitude stuck almost exactly the same place followed by Tsunami which ruined coastal communities. 

No loss of life was reported; although skyscrapers trembled in the capital of Santiago, and in the central town of Cauquenes, mothers ran into the streets carrying babies in their arms.

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera appealed for calm and admired his government and people in general for responding quickly and effectively.