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Tsunami alert as Chile hit by powerful earthquake Tsunami alert as Chile hit by powerful earthquake
(35 minutes later)
A powerful earthquake has hit central Chile, causing buildings to sway in the capital Santiago. A powerful earthquake has hit central Chile, causing buildings to sway in the capital Santiago, officials say.
The 7.9-magnitude tremor centred off the coast, about 153 miles (246km) north-west of the capital. Chilean officials said it measured 7.2. The 8.3-magnitude tremor was centred off the coast, about 144 miles (232km) north-west of the capital.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that "widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible".The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that "widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible".
There were no immediate reports of damage, Chile's emergency office was quoted as saying by Reuters. There were no immediate reports of damage, but evacuation was ordered in coastal areas. Tsunami sirens were heard in the port of Valparaiso.
The earthquake struck just off the coast at 19:54 local times (22:54 GMT), about 55km west of the city of Illapel, the US Geological Survey said.
U.S. officials said the quake struck just offshore in the Pacific at 7:54 p.m. and was centered about 141 miles (228 kilometers) north-northwest of Santiago. It said the quake was 4.8 miles (5 kilometers) below the surface. Officials said it was at the depth of about 10km.
The US Geological Survey initially reported the tremor as magnitude 7.9, but then quickly revised the reading to 8.3.
Several strong aftershocks were reported just minutes later.
"Tsunami waves reaching more than three metres above the tide level are possible along some coasts of Chile," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later warned.
Tsunami alerts were also issued for Peru and Hawaii.
Local media reports said Argentina and Brazil also felt the tremors.