Wednesday’s quake was centered about 500 kilometers north of the capital Santiago and was felt as far away as Buenos Aires, on the opposite side of the continent.
The earthquake was followed by a number of strong aftershocks and many people spent the night outside as a precaution. Tsunami warnings remained in place for hours along Chile’s coastline. Other areas as far away as Japan and the U.S. state of Hawaii braced for possible tsunamis or dangerous currents.
President Bachelet appeared on television late Wednesday to address the nation about the quake, which occurred just before 8 p.m. local time. “Once again we must confront a powerful blow from nature,” she said, recalling the 2010 earthquake that took the lives of 500 people and leveled parts of the Chilean city of Concepcion.
Houses collapsed in the coastal town of Illapel, near the epicenter of the quake, and power was knocked out there.
Santiago evacuated its main airport.
Tsunami waves struck near the tourist city of Valparaiso, where sirens sounded and people scrambled up hillsides to watch the ocean from a safe distance.
The earthquake came just as Chileans were preparing to celebrate their national holiday on Friday.
U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby has said via Twitter that the United States stands “ready to assist as needed.” He said “Our thoughts are with the people of Chile.”
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake and resulting tsunami hit south-central Chile in 2010, killing more than 500 people and destroying more than 200 homes. The government was criticized for a slow response to the situation, but has since worked to improve its emergency alert system and safety measures.
Article Appeared @http://www.voanews.com/content/massive-chile-quake-prompts-tsunami-warning/2967322.html