The European Commission said today it was sending €3 million in emergency aid to help the victims of the earthquake in Chile.

The South American country was hit by a strong earthquake early on Saturday morning, causing widespread damage in central areas of the country. Authorities say more than 700 people died.

The EU aid money will be used by aid groups in Chile to bolster relief efforts, said Kristalina Georgieva, the EU’s commissioner responsible for humanitarian and crisis response.

Further aid will depend on assessments now under way by EU experts, the Commission said, adding that it would also seek to coordinate aid from EU member states.

José Manuel Barroso, the European Commission president, said the EU was “ready to do whatever it takes” to help the Chilean government cope with the disaster.

Catherine Ashton, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said she had contacted Chile’s Foreign Minister Mariano Fernandez to get an assessment of the situation.

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