The 13 ethnic Koreans residing in Concepcion, Chile, are confirmed to be safe. The city has taken the brunt of the damage from the 8.8-magnitude earthquake.

The Korean Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry says it confirmed through partly restored telecommunication networks and diplomats that the 13 Koreans comprising four households are safe.

The ministry has organized a response team led by the Korean ambassador to Chile. Two consuls have been sent to the affected site in Concepcion to assess the damage and the safety of ethnic Koreans there.