Family's fears for Britonmissing in disaster

Father-of-two Brendan Bostock, 43, originally from Liverpool, has not contacted relatives in the UK since the disaster, which has killed more than 700.

Mr Bostock, a forestry manager, had been living in Santiago but was believed to have been in Concepcion looking for work when the quake struck.

His ex-wife Cathy Bostock, 49, said it was “highly unusual” that he had not made contact with family.

Mrs Bostock, from Uxbridge, north-west London, said: “It is worrying – we have made contact with friends of his but have drawn a blank.

“We are still close – our daughter Natalie has been out to see him several times in Chile.”

Mr Bostock’s brother Martin added: “I speak to him every other day – there’s no way he would leave it so long to get in contact under normal circumstances.”

Concern is also growing for another Briton – Tina Cadwallader Lopes, who was reportedly in Pichilemu with her Portuguese husband and their two children, Isabella, 10, and Joshua, five.

One family was given cause to celebrate last night however as Perran Hall, 32, from Nancledra, Penzance, Cornwall, called his mother to say he was safe.

The surfer had escaped to the hills near the resort of Pichilemu when the quake struck.

His mother, Judith, said: “He is absolutely fine – we could not be more relieved.

“He said it was like watching a tsunami but said the locals were helpful. Absolutely terrifying.”

The Queen had earlier sent a message of condolence to President Bachelet of Chile.

It said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the earthquake in Chile, with its tragic loss of life and damage to houses and livelihoods. I offer my condolences and profound sympathy to all those affected.”

Relatives of Andre Lanyon and Laura Hapgood, from Guernsey, and Kirsty Duff and Dave Sandercock from Scotland, had spoken of their relief earlier after their loved ones called to say they had survived the disaster.

Mr Lanyon’s mother, Valerie, 55, said: “He sounded fine. They had just arrived in Santiago when they called.”

The four were also in Pichilemu when the quake struck.

Mrs Lanyon said her son, a 29-year-old firefighter, and his girlfriend were woken up by the tremors.

Ms Duff, from Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, and Mr Sandercock, from Edinburgh, both 25, arrived in the country three weeks ago.

An Oxfam team was hoping to reach Chile’s disaster-hit second city Concepcion last night.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said the UK Government will donate 250,000 to the Red Cross to help its humanitarian efforts in the aftermath of the Chilean earthquake.

About 1.5 million Chileans were affected by the tremors, which caused buildings and roads to collapse and left 500,000 homes severely damaged.

The quake, the most powerful to hit the nation in 50 years, sent shockwaves out from the epicentre 70 miles from Chile’s second city, Concepcion.

About 65,000 British tourists visit Chile each year, according to the country’s tourist authority.

Last night, the World Health Organization said that the death toll was expected to increase as communications were restored.

WHO officials also expected survivors to face greater challenges in reaching health care.