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Chile quake triggers mass evacuation and tsunami alert Chile quake triggers mass evacuation and tsunami alert
(35 minutes later)
One million people have been evacuated in Chile after a powerful earthquake hit the country's central region.One million people have been evacuated in Chile after a powerful earthquake hit the country's central region.
At least five people died when the 8.3-magnitude quake hit.At least five people died when the 8.3-magnitude quake hit.
Residents of Illapel, near the quake's epicentre, fled into the streets in terror as their homes began to sway.Residents of Illapel, near the quake's epicentre, fled into the streets in terror as their homes began to sway.
A tsunami alert originally issued for the entire Chilean coast has been partly lifted since. In the coastal town of Coquimbo, waves of up to 4.5m (15ft) in height hit the shore. In the coastal town of Coquimbo, waves of 4.5m (15ft) hit the shore. A tsunami alert was issued for the entire Chilean coast but has since been lifted.
Panic
Gloria Navarro who lives in the coastal town of La Serena described how "people were running in all directions".Gloria Navarro who lives in the coastal town of La Serena described how "people were running in all directions".
Maria Angelica Leiva from Navidad, also on the coast, described how she fled her home.Maria Angelica Leiva from Navidad, also on the coast, described how she fled her home.
"It's been awful. We ran out of the house with our grandchildren and now we are on a hill hoping it will be over soon," she told Reuters news agency."It's been awful. We ran out of the house with our grandchildren and now we are on a hill hoping it will be over soon," she told Reuters news agency.
"It is all very dark, and we just hope the sea hasn't reached our house," she added."It is all very dark, and we just hope the sea hasn't reached our house," she added.
Three people died of heart attacks and another two were crushed by falling rocks and masonry, officials said.Three people died of heart attacks and another two were crushed by falling rocks and masonry, officials said.
A local mayor reported a sixth victim, a 19-year-old who was crushed to death in the town of Monte Patria, although this has not been confirmed.A local mayor reported a sixth victim, a 19-year-old who was crushed to death in the town of Monte Patria, although this has not been confirmed.
Officials said 1,800 people in Illapel were left without drinking water.Officials said 1,800 people in Illapel were left without drinking water.
Electricity providers said hundreds of thousands of their clients in the worst-affected Coquimbo region had no power.Electricity providers said hundreds of thousands of their clients in the worst-affected Coquimbo region had no power.
'Very afraid'
The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor struck off the coast of Coquimbo, 46km (29 miles) west of the city of Illapel at 19:54 local time (22:54 GMT).The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor struck off the coast of Coquimbo, 46km (29 miles) west of the city of Illapel at 19:54 local time (22:54 GMT).
The USGS said it was at a depth of 25km, while Chilean seismologists calculated its depth at 11km.The USGS said it was at a depth of 25km, while Chilean seismologists calculated its depth at 11km.
People in coastal areas sought shelter on higher ground while those in cities sought safety in the streets.People in coastal areas sought shelter on higher ground while those in cities sought safety in the streets.
"The motion began lightly, then stronger and stronger," said Jeannette Matte, a resident of Santiago."The motion began lightly, then stronger and stronger," said Jeannette Matte, a resident of Santiago.
"We were on the 12th floor and we were very afraid because it was not stopping. First it was from side to side, then it was like little jumps.""We were on the 12th floor and we were very afraid because it was not stopping. First it was from side to side, then it was like little jumps."
The quake caused buildings to sway in cities as far away as the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.The quake caused buildings to sway in cities as far away as the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
Tsunami fears
The earthquake struck as thousands of Chileans were travelling to the coast ahead of a week of celebrations for independence day.The earthquake struck as thousands of Chileans were travelling to the coast ahead of a week of celebrations for independence day.
The authorities were quick to issue tsunami alerts keen to avert a repeat of the slow response to the 8.8-magnitude quake in 2010, which devastated large areas of the country.The authorities were quick to issue tsunami alerts keen to avert a repeat of the slow response to the 8.8-magnitude quake in 2010, which devastated large areas of the country.
More than 500 people died in the quake and the tsunami it triggered and memories of the tragedy are still raw.More than 500 people died in the quake and the tsunami it triggered and memories of the tragedy are still raw.
Tsunami alerts were issued shortly after the quake struck for the entire Chilean coast as well as Peru, Hawaii, parts of California and as far away as New Zealand. Tsunami alerts were issued shortly after the quake struck for the entire Chilean coast but have been gradually lifted, with the last cancelled at 06:22 local time.
They remain in effect in some central areas, but have been lifted in those further away from the quake's epicentre.
President Michelle Bachelet said that "once again we must confront a powerful blow from nature".President Michelle Bachelet said that "once again we must confront a powerful blow from nature".
The president will travel to the affected areas later on Thursday.The president will travel to the affected areas later on Thursday.
Chile is one of the most seismically active locations on the globe.Chile is one of the most seismically active locations on the globe.
It runs along the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. These are vast slabs of the Earth's surface that grind past each other at a rate of up to 80mm per year.It runs along the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. These are vast slabs of the Earth's surface that grind past each other at a rate of up to 80mm per year.
Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? Are you on the Chilean coast? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in the area affected by the earthquake? Are you on the Chilean coast? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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