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Chile quake: State of emergency declared for Coquimbo Chile quake: State of emergency declared for Coquimbo
(about 17 hours later)
Chile's government has declared a state of emergency in a central region struck by a powerful earthquake.Chile's government has declared a state of emergency in a central region struck by a powerful earthquake.
One million people had to leave their homes and at least 11 people died when the 8.3-magnitude quake hit on Wednesday night. At least 11 people died in Wednesday's 8.3-magnitude quake - the strongest in the world this year - that sent tsunami waves as far away as Japan.
In the coastal town of Coquimbo, waves of 4.7m (15ft) hit the shore. Small tsunami waves hit as far away as Alaska. The coastal town of Coquimbo, close to the epicentre, saw waves of 4.7m (15ft) hit the shore.
President Michelle Bachelet visited Coquimbo on Thursday. Hundreds of people spent Thursday night in temporary shelters, while tens of thousands are without electricity.
About one million people had to leave their homes after Chile sounded a tsunami alert when the quake struck, although most are reported to have returned.
Tsunami waves also hit the coast further north and south of the quake's epicentre, with waves half a metre higher than usual as far north as La Punta.Tsunami waves also hit the coast further north and south of the quake's epicentre, with waves half a metre higher than usual as far north as La Punta.
The quake - the strongest in the world this year - lasted for more than three minutes and there were dozens of aftershocks.
Gloria Navarro, who lives in the coastal town of La Serena, said people were "running in all directions".Gloria Navarro, who lives in the coastal town of La Serena, said people were "running in all directions".
"Everything is a mess," restaurant owner Melisa Pinones told Reuters from the city of Illapel. "It was a disaster, a total loss.""Everything is a mess," restaurant owner Melisa Pinones told Reuters from the city of Illapel. "It was a disaster, a total loss."
Across parts of central Chile, residents began clearing up on Thursday after what was the country's sixth most powerful recorded earthquake. Across parts of central Chile, residents began clearing up after what was the country's sixth most powerful recorded earthquake.
Large parts of the sea front in the fishing village of Tongoy were destroyed, and more than 500 homes were badly damaged across the region, according to emergency response teams.Large parts of the sea front in the fishing village of Tongoy were destroyed, and more than 500 homes were badly damaged across the region, according to emergency response teams.
Close to 90,000 homes remain without electricity.
Emergency powers mean aid will reach Coquimbo quicker, and allow troops to be deployed on to the region's streets.Emergency powers mean aid will reach Coquimbo quicker, and allow troops to be deployed on to the region's streets.
President Bachelet paid tribute to people's response, saying that the death toll, "while unfortunate, was not very high considering the strength of the earthquake". Visiting Coquimbo on Thursday, President Michelle Bachelet paid tribute to people's response, saying that the death toll, "while unfortunate, was not very high considering the strength of the earthquake".
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.
Small tsunami waves were felt along the west coast of the US and Canada. A one-metre (3ft) wave also reached in Hawaii.Small tsunami waves were felt along the west coast of the US and Canada. A one-metre (3ft) wave also reached in Hawaii.
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.
President Bachelet said some of the official festivities would be cancelled. President Bachelet said some of Friday's official festivities would be cancelled.