Chile quake toll rises to 708

The toll in the devastating earthquake in Chile has risen to 708, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said.

The toll in the devastating earthquake in Chile has risen to 708, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said.

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The country was facing "a catastrophe of such unthinkable magnitude" and will need enormous efforts to recover, he said at a press conference Sunday, adding the fatalities may increase as the rescue efforts are continuing, Xinhua reported.

An earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale rocked Chile last Saturday, causing widespread destruction.