Local Man’s Extended Family Safe In Chile

INDIO – Sergio Villegas couldn’t hold back the tears of relief after he learning more than a dozen of his extended family, who live in Chile, are alive after Saturday’s 8.8 earthquake.

“God can do miracles and I think this is one of them that my family’s okay,” says Villegas, fighting back tears.

He first got word from a cousin who posted a message on Facebook.

“He came in just crying,” says Sergio’s wife, Shirley Villegas. “He couldn’t even contain himself and I looked and said, ‘Oh no, they find them dead?’ And, he just looked and he was shaking and he goes they’re all alive.”

But, he doesn’t know if they’re injured.

Sergio and his family are in front of the TV round the clock, anxiously watching live updates from Chile.

Another family member gave a glimpse of the conditions in another Facebook message.

“There’s no energy and there’s a little water left,” says Shirley who translated the message from Spanish.

One of Sergio’s cousins is missing.

But, he’s optimistic he’s still alive.

Sergio flips through the photo album of one of the family’s many trips to Chile.

Now when he looks through, it reminds him just how much damage the earthquake caused.

Many of the places where he grew are gone.

More than 700 people died in the quake.

Now that he knows his family is safe, his thoughts turn to the rest of the country just starting the difficult rebuilding process.

“The country and the people are very strong. It’s going to be okay,” says Sergio.