Sun International, which last Friday published an interim report that detailed good growth from quarter to quarter at its Chilean operation Monticello Grand Casino, today issued a press release stating that following the massive earthquake that rocked Chile on Saturday morning Monticello had been badly damaged. The property lies less than 60 km south of Santiago and is expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Chief Executive David Coutts-Trotter said that over 3,500 people had been evacuated from its Monticello operation in less than eight minutes. "Miraculously given the strength of the quake and aftershocks, only five people were injured, one seriously who is receiving medical treatment and every assistance from us.” The property was immediately closed, all services switched off and the complex cordoned off and made secure.

He added, "There has been significant damage to the casino and retail complex including the convention centre and administration areas, some of it due to the quake and aftershocks and some due to the sprinkler system, which was activated during the tremor. As an indication of the severity of the quake, a two-ton safe moved over a metre during the tremor.”

David Coutts-Trotter praised the reactions of the staff during and after the earthquake. "Our emergency evacuation process worked exceptionally well and our management and staff at Monticello performed exactly according to their training. This contributed in no small measure to protecting the lives and safety of our guests and staff and kept injuries to an absolute minimum."

The press release said that the company has earthquake insurance in place for both the damage to property and the costs of business interruption but that there will be a deductible in terms of the policy amounting to some $8m. It concludes: "Sun International expresses its solidarity with the people of Chile in the wake of this catastrophic event. Together with the management of Monticello, we will work with local communities to assist with the enormous work required in the aftermath of the quake." (E-03.01.10)

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