Buildings swayed as far away as in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1, kilometers 1, miles to the east. In Chile, people ran out into the streets in terror. TV footage showed stores with floors strewn with a mess of broken bottles, jars and other spilled merchandise.
It was the sixth most powerful quake in the history of geologically volatile Chile and the strongest anywhere in the world this year, Deputy Interior Minister Mahmoud Aleuy said. Strong aftershocks followed the first quake, and a tsunami alert was imposed for hours for the Chilean coast.
But it was lifted before dawn Thursday. Many people were evacuated to higher ground. In Chile, more than , families were left without power in the north-central coast area, the National Emergency Office reported, lowering an early figure.
Central Choapa province, which is closest to the epicenter, was declared a disaster zone and placed under military rule. It occurred at a shallow depth, kilometers about miles north of Santiago, a city of 6. The Chilean government put the main earthquake at 8. First it was from side to side, then it was like little jumps.
The town and surrounding areas have about 35, residents. Moya said he and his wife were in bed and watching television when the quake hit. Fearing they would be killed if they remained inside, they ran outside in their underwear.
