Thousands of residents in southern Chile rush to higher ground as authorities issue urgent evacuation orders following a massive 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck near the country's southern tip.
According to Daily Mail, the powerful earthquake hit approximately 200 kilometers south of Puerto Williams at 9 am local time, triggering fears of tsunami waves up to 9 feet tall along Chile's coastline and potential 3-foot waves in Antarctica.
The United States Geological Survey confirmed that the earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers, followed by four smaller aftershocks in the region. Chile's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) warned that tsunami waves could reach Antarctic bases and cities in Chile's extreme south within hours of the initial quake.
Chilean disaster authorities immediately ordered evacuations along the coastal areas of the Magallanes Region in Southern Chile. Video footage from the area showed residents calmly moving away from danger zones while numerous vehicles streamed out of potentially affected areas.
The National Disaster Prevention and Response System, SENAPRED, launched a comprehensive assessment of potential impacts on infrastructure and basic services. The agency also reminded evacuating residents to consider their pets' needs during the emergency.
President Gabriel Boric, who hails from the affected region, took to social media platform X to emphasize the urgency of the situation. He called for immediate coastal evacuation throughout the Magallanes Region and assured citizens that all state resources were being mobilized.
The Magallanes region, Chile's largest and southernmost territory, houses approximately 166,000 residents according to 2017 government figures. The area's location along the boundary of the Nazca and South American tectonic plates makes it particularly vulnerable to seismic activity.
Chile's president expressed his concerns through social media, stating:
Right now, our duty is to prevent and heed the authorities. Regional and national COGRID are just getting started. All state resources are available.
The country's history with devastating earthquakes includes the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in 1960, which registered a magnitude of 9.5. That catastrophic event resulted in between 1,000 and 6,000 deaths from both the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis.
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration issued warnings about potential tsunami waves, with Chile facing possible 9-foot surges and Antarctica expecting waves up to 3 feet. National threat evaluation systems indicated that tsunami waves could appear within 300 kilometers of the earthquake's epicenter.
Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde and his undersecretary, Víctor Ramos, immediately headed to SENAPRED offices to coordinate emergency responses. The rapid mobilization of government officials highlighted the severity of the situation.
The earthquake's impact extended beyond Chile's borders, though initial assessments suggested the Falkland Islands would likely be spared from significant tsunami effects. International monitoring systems continued to track potential wave formations across the Pacific region.
Emergency operations unfold in southern Chile
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck 200 kilometers south of Puerto Williams in Chile's Magallanes region, prompting widespread coastal evacuations due to tsunami threats. The seismic event triggered warnings of potential 9-foot tsunami waves along Chile's coastline and 3-foot waves in Antarctica, leading authorities to implement immediate emergency protocols. As aftershocks continue to affect the region, government agencies maintain vigilance while coordinating evacuation efforts and monitoring potential tsunami development throughout the Pacific area.
