Tsunami Alerts Triggered by Chile 8.2 Quake

A powerful earth quake identified by the US Geological Survey as situated about 52 miles north-west of the mining area of Iquique killed at least 5 people, and 6ft waves have hit some areas of Chile. Power cuts, fires  landslides are also mentioned by BBC News.

Citing the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, the BBC says that an initial warning was issued for Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama, but later all watches and alerts were later lifted except for Chile and Peru.

Tsunami watches – in which the danger of tidal waves is deemed to be less serious – had been in place for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras.

High waves hit parts of the Chilean coast within 45 minutes of the quake. Pisagua, Patache and Iquique all saw big waves, and evacuations of coastal areas were ordered in Chile and Peru.

Source: BBC News