London: A powerful earthquake of 7.4 magnitude struck off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina on Friday.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake struck between Cape Horn and Antarctica at a depth of 10 km.
Chilean authorities have issued a tsunami warning for the Latin American country’s southernmost region, reported AFP.
Due to the risk of a tsunami, Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service is taking steps to help people in the coastal area of Magallanes region evacuate their homes.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric also called on the public to evacuate the Magallanes region’s coastline.
“We call for evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region,” President Boric posted on X after an alert from the emergency service, which also ordered evacuations in the nearby Antarctic areas.
Videos shared on social media showed people calmly evacuating as sirens blared in the background.
Tsunami warning sirens in Puerto Williams, Chile
People are moving to higher ground after 7.4 Earthquake. pic.twitter.com/ImLCnigJzW— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) May 2, 2025
#Sismo: después del sismo de Magnitud 7.4 a 219 km S de Ushuaia, #Argentina🇦🇷.
🔸️Después de 🚨#Alerta de #Tsunami, Ciudadanos evacúan Punta Arenas y todo el borde costero en la Región de #Magallanes, #Chile.#EG #Georiesgos #Temblor #Terremoto #hoy #urgente #earthquake #quake… pic.twitter.com/HyPnR7Eu10
— ESPECIGEST (@ESPECIGEST) May 2, 2025
As per estimates of Chile’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA), waves will reach bases in Antarctica and cities in Chile’s extreme south in the next few hours.
Local media in Chile is reporting that residents are being asked to evacuate to safe areas which are 30 metres above sea level as a precaution.
Tremors were also felt in Argentina’s Ushuaia, considered to be the world’s southernmost city, though no material damage or evacuations have been reported.
“The earthquake was felt primarily in the city of Ushuaia and, to a lesser extent, in towns across the province. In the face of these types of events, it is important to remain calm,” the local government said.
