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E-mailA powerful 8.8 magnitude earthquake has hit off coast of Chile early Saturday morning. The epicenter of the quake that lasted 45 seconds was 115 kilometers north of Concepcion, Chile’s second largest city with a population of 670,000.
The USGS said the earthquake struck 90 kilometres north-east of the city of Concepcion at a depth of 55 kilometers at 3:34am (local time).
According to breaking reports from CNN, 64 people died and authorities said the number of fatalities could increase.
Tsunami warning on
The USGS had issued a tsunami warning to all South American and Pacific countries. The agency warned of quake generated tsunami that may have been destructive. "Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated," the centre said on its website.
"It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts."
Associated Press reported that a total of 53 nations and territories are now under tsunami warnings including Peru, Ecuador, Australia, Japan and Philippines.
Among the major concerns now are the aftershocks hitting Chile. More than 30 aftershocks were recorded within four hours after the major tremor. Buildings in Concepcion and Santiago collapsed; and electricity and phone lines are down. Chile President Michelle Bachilet declared a ‘state of national catastrophe.’
The quake that hit Chile is a thousand times stronger than the 7.0 magnitude quake that struck Haiti last January 12. The last massive quake in Chile was the 9.5 magnitude tremor in 1960 that killed 1,600 people.
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