Chile's main carrier LAN is expected to continue offering a limited number of domestic and international flights at Santiago Airport today, following the cessation of all commercial flights after last Saturday's terrible 8.8-magnitude earthquake.

The earthquake has already claimed more than 720 lives in the country at the same time as damaging the country's main airport, with the main areas of devastation located south of the Chilean capital, Santiago.

President Michelle Bachelet announced yesterday that at least 7,000 troops are being moved to Concepcion and surrounding areas to restore law and order in the areas that were closest to the epicentre of the earthquake.

Concepcion has been subject to a curfew which is due to be lifted later today, although this has been complicated by the fact that tens of thousands of people have been forced out of their homes because of the earthquake damage.

Many other areas have also suffered terrible damage, but relief efforts are said to be well underway, with the United Nations and the international community pledging to send aid quickly to the earthquake zone.

At the last count, the Chilean Red Cross estimated that around 500,000 homes had suffered considerable damage as a result of the quake.