Chile earthquake tsunami warning lifted

Images from the island of Chiloe showed damaged roads and bridges

A tsunami alert issued after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake off the coast of southern Chile has now been lifted.

The quake struck at 14:22 GMT on the island of Chiloe, about 40km (25 miles) south-west of Quellon, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

Its depth was about 34km.

Chile's national emergency office issued an alert and ordered the evacuation of coastal areas of Los Lagos region.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center had warned that hazardous waves of up to 3m (9ft 10in) above tide level were possible on coasts located up to 1,000km from the quake's epicentre.

But it later said: "Based on all available data, the tsunami threat from this earthquake has now passed."

Residents of Quellon were among those who headed to safe areas ahead of the tsunami warning being lifted.

"I've lived for 10 years in the south and never felt something like that," a resident who was leaving his house said.

Chile's President Michelle Bachelet tweeted: "Much strength and encouragement to the compatriots affected by the tremor in Chile and other areas in the south. Emergency procedures are already in place."

Source: BBC