<br/>In Chile, the death toll due to devastating earthquake has risen to 214. This is the largest earthquakes ever recorded which tore apart houses, bridges and highways in central part of the country and sent a tsunami warning halfway around the world. According to Interior Minister Edmundo Perez Yoma about 1.5 million homes suffered at least some damage.<br/><br/>The earthquake with the magnitude of 8.8 on Richter scale was felt as far away as Sao Paulo in Brazil – 2,900 kilometers to the east. President Michelle Bachelet declared a "state of catastrophe" in central Chile but said the government has not asked for assistance from other countries. Santiago's airport was closed, with smashed windows, partially collapsed ceilings and destroyed pedestrian walkways in the passenger terminals.<br/><br/>Chile's main seaport, in Valparaiso about 120 kilometers from Santiago, was closed. The state-run Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, shut two of its mines, the newspaper La Tercera reported.<br/><br/>President Barack Obama called his Chilean counterpart Michelle Bachelet to express condolence in the aftermath of the massive earthquake in the country. He saidthat US is ready to provide assistance in relief efforts.<br/><br/>The 8.8 quake caused widespread damage, destroying buildings, bridges and roads in many areas, including the capital where a chemical plant caught fire. Electricity, water and phone lines have been cut. Hundreds of thousands of people are believed to be affected. Several Pacific countries were hit by waves higher than usual after a tsunami was set off by the quake. The earthquake struck at 0634HRS GMT, 115km north-east of the city of Concepcion and 325km south-west of the capital Santiago. It is the biggest to hit Chile in 50 years. At least 85 people died in the region of Maule alone. Many deaths were also in reported in the regions of Santiago, O'Higgins, Biobio, Araucania and Valparaiso.<br/><br/>Following the massive earthquake that hit Chile and triggered a Tsunami the UN is monitoring the Pacific Rim, the region comprising the countries located around the edge of the vast ocean.<br/><br/>UN spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, said in a statement, that the Secretary-General is very closely monitoring developments, including the risk of Pacific Rim tsunamis.<br/><br/>The US Pacific Warning Centre has confirmed that the sea level readings indicate that a tsunami has been triggered that could cause widespread damage.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Nations around the Pacific Ocean are on full alert as a tsunami triggered by a 8.8 magnitude earthquake in central Chile brings higher than normal waves. Tsunami warnings have been sounded in an area affecting about a quarter of the globe. At least five deaths were reported in one Chilean island group. Waves are spreading from the epicentre and striking land across the region. Warning systems have improved since the 2004 Indonesia quake sparked a tsunami that killed nearly 250,000 people. Nations and regions affected by the Pacific "Ring of Fire" have all sounded alerts, trying to estimate the anticipated time of arrival of any tsunami.