Strong aftershocks rock Chile's reconstruction

As reconstruction efforts gradually get underway in Chile, a string of strong aftershocks have rocked the country.

The largest reached a magnitude of 6.9 on the Richter scale. They have been felt in cities including Concepcion, Valparaiso and Rancagua.

Panic gripped Chilean people again as a string of aftershocks shook the ground under their feet.

The strongest one measured 6.9 magnitude and occurred along the same fault line as the 8.8 magnitude tremor last month.

"It was really scary. I was outside and then the ground began to rock."

Residents, waiting to watch the inauguration of President-elect Sebastian Pinera, run to higher ground as a strong aftershock of 7.2 shook the region a few minutes before the inauguration's start outside Congress in Valparaiso March 11, 2010. REUTERS/Patricio Valenzuela