2 Chilean quake-hit regions declared "catastrophe zones"
Chilean President Ricardo Lagos on Thursday issued a decree declaring as "catastrophe zones" two regions affected most by the strong earthquake which hit the north of the country on Monday.

The northern province of Iquique and the community of Camarones near the province of Arica were the most affected regions by the quake that left 11 dead and 130 injured and destroyed hundreds of houses.

The decree will allow the delivery of additional economic aid, the speeding up of construction bidding processes and the granting of more powers to local authorities to help victims.

The government said President Lagos would hold a solidarity day on Saturday within the framework of the campaign "Chile helps Chile" in efforts to collect funds and goods to help the victims.