8.3-magnitude Earthquake Rocks Chile, Tsunami Alert Issued for Chile, Peru, Hawaii

(PNA/Xinhua) — An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile at 7:55 p.m. local time (22:55 GMT), rocking buildings in the capital Santiago and sending people flooding on to the streets.

The magnitude of the earthquake was first reported as being 7.2 but was quickly upgraded to 7.9 and then 8.3 by the United States Geological Service (USGS).

A tsunami alert was immediately generated by the Chilean Ministry of the Interior and by the U.S.’ Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Chile and Peru are on high alert, although the alert was spread across a wide area reaching as far as Hawaii.

The Weather Channel also urged anyone located along the coast to move inland in preparation for the tsunami. Initial estimates from these institutions said that a possible tsunami would make landfall at around 9:37 p.m.

The earthquake was felt particularly strongly in the towns of Valparaiso and Coquimbo and lasted for approximately one minute, according to eyewitness statements in local press.

Santiago Airport was immediately evacuated with a smaller aftershock of 5.8 magnitude shaking the ground at 8:00 p.m.

There have been no reports of damage or injuries in the minutes following the earthquake but Chile has dispatched its Minister of the Interior, Jorge Burgos, to the zone to investigate.

The Ministry of the Interior also issued a call for Chileans to stay calm and head to established meeting points.

According to the USGS, the epicenter was out at sea, 44 miles (70.8 km) northwest of the town of Illapel and 153 miles (246 km) from Santiago.

Videos posted on social media networks show the earthquake was felt as far afield as the Argentinean capital of Buenos Aires, over 850 miles (about 1,368 km) to the east of Chile. (PNA/Xinhua) JBP/EBP