Chile has issued a tsunami warning and ordered the evacuation of coastal areas in the southern region of Magallanes following a strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4.
The earthquake struck at 13:58 local time, with the epicenter located 219 kilometers off the coast of the Argentine city of Ushuaia, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers in Passage Drake, located between Cape Horn and Antarctica.
Immediate Evacuation and Response
In response, Chile’s National Emergency Management Agency (ONEMI) issued a warning for the Magallanes region, which includes the southernmost tip of the country. Antarctic bases are currently in the process of evacuation, and there have been reports of aftershocks in the area.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric called for the evacuation of all coastal areas within the Magallanes region. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Boric said: “We urge the evacuation of the coastline across the Magallanes region”. He also assured the public that all state resources would be mobilized to address any potential aftermath.
Local Impact and Precautionary Measures
Puerto Williams, a city near the epicenter, saw more than 1,100 people evacuated to safety, as reported by local sources. The National Emergency Management Agency advised residents to stay calm and follow the instructions provided by authorities and emergency teams.
In the meantime, Antarctic stations have been placed on alert, and the region remains under close surveillance for any further seismic activity.
