Santiago, May 3, (V7N) – A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the southern coast of Chile near the Argentine border on Friday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning and order evacuations from coastal areas.

According to Al Jazeera, Chile’s National Office of Emergency of the Interior Ministry (ONEMI) declared a “Red Alert” for the southern Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic regions. The alert was issued as a precaution due to the risk of a tsunami following the seismic event.

Emergency services have begun evacuating residents from vulnerable coastal zones. As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage.

Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation closely, and residents in the affected regions have been advised to stay alert for further instructions.

 
Epicenter and Initial Response
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 11:36 PM local time, with its epicenter located approximately 219 kilometers south of Ushuaia, Argentina. The tremor was felt in the southern regions of Chile and Argentina, including the Tierra del Fuego province in Argentina. In response, Chile’s National Office of Emergency (ONEMI) declared a “Red Alert” for the Magallanes region and the Chilean Antarctic coast, advising residents to evacuate coastal areas due to the risk of a tsunami. 
 
Evacuations and Precautionary Measures
In Chile, residents of Punta Arenas and other coastal towns were evacuated to higher ground in an orderly manner. The Chilean Navy activated tsunami sirens across several coastal municipalities and ordered ships to steer clear of low-lying ports and coastal areas. National emergency systems were also activated to prepare for any potential escalation. 
 
In Argentina, authorities suspended water activities and navigation in the Beagle Channel for at least three hours as a precautionary measure. 
 
No Immediate Reports of Damage or Casualties
As of now, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage in either country. Chilean President Gabriel Boric emphasized that all resources were in place to handle potential emergencies. The Chilean Navy warned that waves from the quake could reach Antarctica within an hour and take up to 12 hours to impact more distant regions. 
 
Ongoing Monitoring and Public Safety
Authorities in both Chile and Argentina continue to monitor the situation closely. Residents in the affected regions have been advised to stay alert for further instructions. The region remains seismically active, and experts continue to assess the potential for aftershocks or further seismic activity.
 
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