Santiago [Chile], Dec. 25 : A powerful earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter scale has hit the coast of southern Chile. Officials have ordered an evacuation of the coastal area after a Tsunami threat was issued for parts of the Pacific Ocean close to the earthquake, reports The Independent.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake struck near the southern tip of Chiloe Island at a depth of 20 miles (33km).
There were no immediate reports of damage. A preventative tsunami alert was declared by Chile's naval oceanographic service. More than 524 people were killed in a much stronger earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale that had struck Chile in February 2010.
Source: ANI
