Santiago: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck off the southern coast of Chile, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for the region. As a precautionary measure, coastal areas in both Chile and Argentina were evacuated.
According to a report by BBC News, the earthquake occurred at 9:58 AM local time in the Drake Passage, situated between Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America and Antarctica. Thousands of residents moved to higher ground following the tremor.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the quake's epicenter was located 219 kilometers from the Argentine city of Ushuaia and originated at a depth of 10 kilometers beneath the earth’s surface.
The tsunami warning was specifically issued for Chile’s remote Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic regions, while precautionary steps were also taken in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego region. No immediate reports of casualties or significant damage have been received.
Residents in the affected areas have been urged to remain calm and follow official instructions. Chilean President Gabriel Boric posted on social media platform X, calling for the evacuation of the Magallanes coastal region.
According to Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED), more than 1,700 people in sparsely populated areas relocated to safer locations. This included 1,000 individuals from Puerto Williams and around 500 from Puerto Natales. Additionally, approximately 32 people stationed in Chilean Antarctica followed evacuation procedures.
SENAPRED declared a high alert, activating all available resources for emergency response.
Footage shared on social media showed calm evacuations in the remote town of Puerto Williams, with sirens sounding in the background. One video posted by Chilean police captured an officer assisting a person in a wheelchair up a hillside in a town home to nearly 2,800 people.
In Argentina, tremors were felt in Ushuaia, with some nearby towns experiencing mild effects. A civil protection official reported that approximately 2,000 people were evacuated from coastal areas in Argentina.
Chile is prone to seismic activity as it lies at the convergence of three tectonic plates, making earthquakes a frequent occurrence in the region.
