Authorities in Chile ordered evacuations along coastal areas after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the country’s southern coast, prompting a tsunami warning. The quake occurred at 09:58 local time (12:58 GMT) on Friday in the Drake Passage, between Cape Horn at South America’s southern tip and Antarctica.
Thousands of residents moved to higher ground as a precaution. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was located 219 kilometers (136 miles) from Ushuaia, Argentina—the southernmost city in the world—and struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). No immediate damage or injuries were reported.
Chile’s tsunami alert applied to the remote Magallanes region and the Chilean Antarctic Territory. Argentina also implemented safety measures in the Tierra del Fuego area. Citizens in impacted zones were urged to remain calm and follow official guidance.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric announced the evacuation of coastal areas in Magallanes via a post on X. Over 1,700 people evacuated, including around 1,000 from Puerto Williams and 500 from Puerto Natales, according to Chile’s disaster response agency, Senapred. Additionally, 32 individuals at Antarctic research bases followed evacuation protocols. Senapred activated its highest disaster alert level to enable full resource deployment.
Videos on social media showed orderly evacuations in Puerto Williams, accompanied by blaring sirens. One video posted by Chilean police showed an officer assisting a person in a wheelchair up a hill in the town of roughly 2,800 residents.
In Argentina, the tremor was felt most strongly in Ushuaia, with milder effects in surrounding areas. Local civil protection officials reported that about 2,000 people were evacuated from the Argentine coast.
Chile, situated at the convergence of three tectonic plates, frequently experiences seismic activity.
Chile’s National Emergency Office (Senapred) stated that no tsunami had yet materialized but emphasized the importance of taking all necessary precautions given the nature of the quake and its location. Emergency drills and response protocols. began after warning, regularly practiced in the region due to its seismic history, were credited with helping to ensure orderly evacuations.
Meanwhile, emergency teams remained on standby as authorities monitored oceanic activity for any changes that might indicate a tsunami risk. Naval units and disaster response teams were deployed across the Magallanes region and nearby coastal settlements to assist in the evacuation and provide support where needed.
