FCO Advise That All But Essential Travel Should Be Avoided

The Chilean government has designated 6 regions as "states of catastrophe": Araucania, Biobio, Maule, O'Higgins, Valpraiso and the Metropolitan region. The FCO have advised that all but essential travel to these regions should be avoided until further notice. Travel within Chile is restricted due to damage to the infrastructure, particularly south of Santiago. Some roads, including the Pan-American Highway, have been partially blocked. The capital Santiago has also been affected: there has been some damage to buildings and at least two road flyovers have collapsed. Santiago Airport has been closed and is expected to remain so/until the morning of Tuesday 2 March at the earliest (72 hours after the earthquake). Flights are neither arriving at nor departing from the airport at present. Communications to, from and within Chile are sporadic