A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck near the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. The quake’s epicenter was in the Drake Passage, between Cape Horn and Antarctica, about 218 kilometers from Puerto Williams, Chile. It was 10 kilometers deep.
Chile Issues Tsunami Warning
The Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Office issued a red tsunami warning for the Magallanes region and Chilean Antarctic Territory. Officials ordered people in coastal areas to evacuate immediately. Chilean President Gabriel Boric urged citizens to follow evacuation orders and said the government was mobilizing all resources to respond to the emergency.
Evacuations Underway
People in Punta Arenas moved to higher ground in an orderly manner. In Ushuaia, Argentina, authorities suspended water activities and navigation in the Beagle Channel for at least three hours. So far, there are no reports of damage or casualties. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and advising people to stay calm and follow instructions.