Thousands have been relocated to safer areas in Chile and Argentina, following a tsunami warning issued by Chilean authorities after an earthquake was recorded off the nation’s southern coast.
Details of the Earthquake
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit in the Drake Passage between Cape Horn, at the southernmost tip of South America, and Antarctica at 09:58 local time (12:58 GMT), as reported by the United States Geological Survey. Its epicenter was located 219 km (136 miles) off the Argentine city of Ushuaia the world’s southernmost city.
A tsunami warning was put in place for Chile’s isolated Magallanes region and portions of the Chilean Antarctic Territory. Precautionary steps were also taken in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego region. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles), according to the US Geological Survey.
Safety Measures and Government Response
The residents of the affected regions have been asked to remain calm and follow official directives. So far, no reports of injury or damage have been received. In a post on X, Chilean President Gabriel Boric urged people to evacuate the coastline throughout the Magallanes region. The local press reports that the move is precautionary, with residents being asked to retreat to areas 30 meters above sea level.
Over 1,700 people have so far been taken to safety from higher ground in the sparsely populated area. Of these, 1,000 have come from Puerto Williams, and 500 from Puerto Natales, according to Chile’s disaster agency (Senapred).
Another 32 individuals also participated in evacuation drills at Chilean research stations in Antarctica. Senapred has issued its highest level of disaster alert, mobilizing all available resources to respond.
Calm Evacuation Efforts
Miguel Ortiz, Senapred’s deputy director of emergency management, advised people to “remain evacuated in the safety zone.” Video footage on social media captured residents walking calmly to higher ground. This was in the isolated town of Puerto Williams. Wailing sirens were heard in the background. Chile’s police department also shared a video. It showed a police officer guiding a wheelchair user up a hill in the town. The town is home to around 2,800 residents.
In Argentina, the quake was strongest in Ushuaia. Other municipalities were affected “to a lesser degree,” according to the region’s governor’s office. An official from the region’s civil protection department informed local media that approximately 2,000 individuals had been evacuated from the Argentine coast.
