The Costa Rican government expressed its solidarity with the people and government of Chile following the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the coast of that South American country, killing at least 147 people and sending a tsunami across the Pacific.

“Costa Rica joins the offerings of solidarity with the families of the victims and people affected by the grave event and hopes for a swift return to normalcy for the communities that have suffered in the earthquake,” according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

The statement said President Oscar Arias tried this morning to call Chilean President Michelle Bachelet but was not successful.

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