A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina on Friday, leading to evacuations and safety measures throughout the Magallanes region of Chile and Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego province. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was located under the ocean, 219 kilometers (173 miles) south of Ushuaia, Argentina. Chilean authorities issued an evacuation alert for the entire coastal section of the Strait of Magellan in response to a tsunami threat. The National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response of Chile urged residents to evacuate to safe zones along the coastline.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric confirmed that all resources were available to address potential emergencies and called on citizens to follow authorities’ guidance and evacuate. “Right now, our duty is to be prepared and heed the authorities,” he said.
In Punta Arenas, Chilean Patagonia, residents moved quickly to shelters following the alert. Evacuation was described as calm, with many residents leaving their homes carrying essential belongings. Roberto Ramirez, a local resident, mentioned, “We received the alert and we had to evacuate at work, but people are calm and well prepared.”
The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy reported that tsunami waves could reach Antarctica within the hour and might take up to 12 hours to reach more distant areas. In Argentina, the city of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, suspended all water activities and navigation in the Beagle Channel for at least three hours. No evacuations were required, and local authorities advised the public to remain calm.
Source: Swifteradio.com
