Strong quake strikes Chile

By Maria Paz Salas

SANTIAGO, Chile

A magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck the southern tourist island of Chiloe on Sunday with damages reported but no casualties, the National Emergency Office said.

“I send strength and encouragement to the compatriots affected by the earthquake in Chiloe, and other areas of the south. Emergency protocols are already operating,” President Michelle Bachelet said on Twitter.

The Christmas Day quake stuck 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) south of the capital, Santiago, and was felt at 11.22 a.m. local time (1422GMT) with an epicenter that was 39 kilometers (25 miles) southwest of the port of Quellon.

Authorities initially launched a tsunami alert that generated evacuations to higher elevations in Los Lagos, Bio Bio, La Araucania, Los Rios and Aysen.

Two hours later, officials replaced the alert with a warning for residents to stay at least 80 meters (300 feet) from coastal areas.

Some residents experienced electricity cuts, telephone lines collapsed and some buildings sustained structural damages.

The road that connects the island to the continent also sustained considerable damage, authorities said.

By Maria Paz Salas

SANTIAGO, Chile

A magnitude-7.6 earthquake struck the southern tourist island of Chiloe on Sunday with damages reported but no casualties, the National Emergency Office said.

Authorities initially launched a tsunami alert that generated evacuations to higher elevations in Los Lagos, Bio Bio, La Araucania, Los Rios and Aysen.

Two hours later, officials replaced the alert with a warning for residents to stay at least 80 meters (300 feet) from coastal areas.

Some residents experienced electricity cuts, telephone lines collapsed and some buildings sustained structural damages.

The road that connects the island to the continent also sustained considerable damage, authorities said.