A strong earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck off the southern coast of Chile, prompting urgent tsunami warnings for nearby coastal communities. The quake occurred in the Drake Passage at 09:58 local time (12:58 GMT), with the US Geological Survey placing the epicenter 219 km (136 miles) from Ushuaia, Argentina, the planet's southernmost city.
Chilean authorities reacted swiftly, advising evacuations in the Magallanes region and parts of the Chilean Antarctic Territory, with responders also taking precautions in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego. The quake hit just 10 km (6 miles) deep, sparking immediate safety alerts but, fortunately, no reports of injuries or damage.
In total, over 1,700 people evacuated to higher ground, including 1,000 from Puerto Williams and 500 from Puerto Natales, according to Chile's disaster agency, Senapred. Moreover, about 32 individuals evacuated from Antarctic research stations. The agency has mobilized all available resources under its highest alert status.
In social media clips, residents were seen calmly ascending to safety amid sirens. Chilean President Gabriel Boric urged compliance with evacuation orders, emphasizing the importance of safety. Meanwhile, in Argentina, the tremor was felt minorly in Ushuaia, with evacuations affecting around 2,000 people along the coastline. Earthquakes are common in Chile due to the convergence of three tectonic plates within its borders.
