AC 2.0

Yamin reports he’s safe after Chile earthquake

Melissa Ruggieri and Bryan Devasher Times-Dispatch Staff Writers
Published: February 28, 2010
Updated: February 28, 2010

Elliott Yamin, the former Richmonder and 2006 "American Idol" finalist, escaped injury yesterday when a massive earthquake struck Chile.

Yamin was in Viña del Mar, about 350 miles north of the quake's epicenter, for a music festival. He said in a text message last evening that because there was no power in Viña del Mar, occupants had just been bused to Santiago.

"I am fine so happy 2 b alive!! Can't thank yall enuff 4 ur concerns, thoughts and prayers!!" he said. "Please cont 2 pray 4 the people who r far worse off than our group is at this point."

Yamin said he had been up for more than 30 hours straight. Early yesterday, he was interviewed on CNN, NBC's "Today" show and ABC's "Good Morning America" to discuss the devastation he witnessed and jokingly referred to himself as "Anderson Cooper 2.0."

Earlier yesterday, Yamin, a Type 1 diabetic, noted on his Twitter feed that he would soon be in need of insulin, as he was supposed to go home today and only brought the necessary supply.

Interviewed by phone on NBC's "Today" show, Yamin recounted the moment the earthquake struck and said some calm had returned to the area.

"It felt very surreal," Yamin said. "One minute I'm on the computer typing away and the next there was a very abrupt shaking and rumbling."

Yamin began posting messages on Twitter almost immediately after the quake struck at 1:34 a.m. EST.

"Huge earthquake just now in Chile!! . . . I swear I thought this was the end of my life!!!!!" he tweeted moments after the quake hit.

Yamin is in Chile for the Competencia Internacional, the country's largest music festival. He represented the United States in the competition, singing "Rock Around the Clock."

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