The European Parliament,

A. whereas on 17 June 1991 heavy and unexpected rains in northern Chile caused an avalanche which submerged the town of Antofagasta in mud up to 1.5 metres deep, causing 112 deaths, and seriously injuring more than 700 people, with a further 30 000 persons affected and 6 000 dwellings damaged,

B. whereas the avalanche's worst effects were felt in the poorest areas of Antofagasta, where large numbers of families lost their homes,

C. whereas Antofagasta, which has been declared a disaster area by the Chilean Government, remains without drinking water or electricity, with most of its streets still filled with mud, which poses a major health risk,

D. whereas this disaster represents a severe blow to the Chilean nation at a time when it is engaged in attempting to overcome the major social deficit inherited from the dictatorship,

1. Expresses its solidarity with the families of the dead and with all those affected;

2. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, in view of the seriousness and extent of the disaster, to give concrete expression to the Community's solidarity with the Antofagasta victims by granting emergency aid;

3. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council, to the governments of the Member States and to the President of the Republic of Chile.