Tsunami Warning Prompts Mass Evacuations in Chile and Argentina After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake

Thousands of people have been evacuated to higher ground in southern Chile and Argentina after Chilean authorities issued a tsunami warning following a powerful earthquake off the country's southern coast.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Drake Passage between Cape Horn, at the southern tip of South America, and Antarctica at 9:58 a.m. local time (12:58 GMT), according to the United States Geological Survey. 

The Chilean government issued a tsunami warning for the Magallanes region and parts of the Chilean Antarctic Territory.

As a precaution, Argentina followed with measures in its Tierra del Fuego region. Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service, known as Senapred, reported more than 1,700 people had been evacuated to higher ground. 

This included 1,000 individuals from Puerto Williams and 500 from Puerto Natales. Additionally, 32 personnel stationed at Chile’s Antarctic research bases followed evacuation procedures.

President Gabriel Boric addressed the situation on X, formerly Twitter, urging residents to evacuate the coastline throughout the Magallanes region. Local media clarified the evacuation was precautionary, directing people to seek areas at least 30 meters above sea level.

Footage on social media showed sirens blaring as residents calmly made their way uphill in Puerto Williams. 

Chile’s police force shared a video of an officer helping a wheelchair user to safety, underscoring the coordinated community response.

Tremors Felt in Argentina, Evacuations Follow

In neighboring Argentina, the earthquake was strongly felt in Ushuaia, with other towns experiencing lesser tremors. 

A regional civil protection official told local media that approximately 2,000 people were evacuated away from the coast.

Chile, a nation situated along the "Ring of Fire," is no stranger to seismic activity. The region is where three tectonic plates converge, often resulting in powerful earthquakes.

As of now, there have been no reports of injuries or property damage, though authorities remain on alert as they monitor for potential aftershocks or tsunami activity.