The European Union is prepared to deliver immediate and coordinated help to the victims of the powerful 8,8 earthquake that struck Chile early Saturday.

The information was announced by Kristalina Georgieva, the Bulgarian EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.

According to Georgieva, the Crisis Monitoring Department at the European Commission is already activated and the humanitarian aid experts are working to assess the most urgent needs.

“The EC is prepared to provide emergency assistance and to coordinate European effort in case of need,” Georgieva is quoted as saying. She further expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

Until 3 pm Bulgarian time the dead toll was listed at 78, but it is expected to climb.

The earthquake struck 35 km deep at 06:34 GMT, some 91 km northeast of the city of Concepcion and 317 km southwest of the capital, Santiago.

Buildings in Santiago were reported to have shaken for between 10 and 30 seconds, with the loss of electricity and communications. Preliminary reports list at least 78 casualties and a large number of collapsed buildings.

Santiago airport is closed and all flights are canceled until further notice, airline officials say.

The shocks were felt strongly also in Peru, Argentina and Ecuador.