Tsunami warning issued and evacuations ordered after huge 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocks coast of Chile and Argentina

MASS evacuations have been launched after a huge 7.5-magnitude earthquake south of Chile and Argentina.

The evacuations across the entire coastal section of the Strait of Magellan were sparked after a strong earthquake in Drake Passage.

Large group of people walking down a street.
An evacuation has been launched following an earthquake and tsunami warning
A large group of people walking down a city street.
People evacuating buildings in Chile
Smartphone displaying a tsunami emergency alert in Spanish.
Locals were seen receiving warnings on their phones

Map showing the epicenter of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile, triggering a tsunami warning.

The United States Geological Survey confirmed the mega quake, saying that it had struck between Cape Horn and Antarctica.

They added that its epicentre was under the ocean 173 miles south of the Argentinian city of Ushuaia.

The Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service said that the coastal area of Magallenes region in the south of the country would be evacuated due to the tsunami risk.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric said on X after the alert: “We call for evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region.”

Pictures showed civilians fleeing buildings as part of evacuations in dramatic scenes following the quake.

Dramatic footage showed people leaving their homes and walking towards a safety checkpoint in the South American country.

Town streets were flooded as the evacuations were sparked across the south.

The coastal areas were evacuated due to the “hazardous waves” which came following the quake in Drake Passage.

According to the National Seismological Center, the earthquake occurred when the clock was about to strike 9:00a.m.

The agency first indicated that the quake had a magnitude of 7.5 on Friday morning.

It reportedly had a depth of 6.2 miles.

The Chilean Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) issued the warning after the quake occurred 135 miles south of Puerto Williams, in the Magallanes region.

They also issued a precautionary warning for the Antarctic territory.

The National Disaster Prevention and Response System said that they “continue to assess the impact on people and damage to infrastructure and basic services”.

Argentina did not immediately issue a similar tsunami warning.

A crowd of people walking down a city street.
Streets were filled as people left buildings and walked towards safety
Group of people walking on a sidewalk.
The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.5
People walking on a street near buildings.
People were seen evacuating their homes following the warning

They added that the results of would be reported through incident or emergency reports prepared by SENAPRED, the National Disaster Prevention and Response Service.

It remains unclear if any infrastructure has been damaged yet.

In 2016, a major 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck southern Chile, prompting thousands to evacuate coastal areas.

The quake’s depth was about 21.5 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said, and a tsunami warning was issued.

And according to media reports, the quake was felt in the southwest Argentine city of Bariloche.

It comes after a massive 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked the Tonga coast, also sparking a tsunami warning.

The US Geological Survey said the tremor hit about 62 miles northeast of the main island of Tongatapu.

Aerial view of Puerto Williams, Chile at sunset.
Getty

Puerto Williams, Chile[/caption]

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