US offers help to Chile

Feb 27, 11:00 AM EST

US offers help to Chile

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. pledged to help Chile after a powerful earthquake struck Saturday and kept watch on a tsunami heading for Hawaii.

All 118 employees of the U.S. Embassy in Chile were accounted for, State Department spokeswoman Megan Mattson said. She had no immediate information on the status of other Americans who may be living in or visiting the South American nation. The U.S. military said it had no reports that any of its forces had been affected either on land or at sea.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, including the potential for a tsunami," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile, and we stand ready to help in this hour of need."

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