On Tuesday, an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile at 7:46 p.m. EDT, forcing evacuations across the country.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was 95 kilometers (about 60 miles) northwest off the coast of Iquique, Chile, triggering a Tsunami warning and the evacuation of thousands of people from the coastal areas of the country.
Upon landfall, the tsunami surge that landed on Chile’s coastline measured about 8.2 feet in height according to The Guardian.
Almost twelve hours after the earthquake struck off the coast of Chile, minister of interior and public security, Rodrigo Peñailillo, announced at 6:41 a.m. (7:41 a.m. EDT) on Wednesday, that the tsunami warning had finally been lifted.
According to Peñailillo, least six deaths have been attributed to the earthquake.
Chilean president Michelle Bachelet also declared a state of emergency in the northern regions of Arica, Parinacota and Tarapacá.
President Bachelet is expected to tour the disaster areas sometime on Wednesday.
While Chilean citizens are now able to return to their homes, the army and police officers have also been deployed to stop or prevent any looting that may have occurred as a result of the earthquake and evacuation.
In addition to the Chilean army’s peacekeeping role in the affected areas, they have also been tasked with tracking down 300 inmates that escaped from a women’s jail in Iquique. According to BBC News, 26 of the 300 inmates have been captured since the quake.
The full extent of damage from the 8.2M-earthquake off the coast of Chile is expected to be assessed in the coming days.
Take a closer look at the aftermath of the Chilean earthquake in photos below.
Residents stay on the top floor of their building during a vertical evacuation after a tsunami alarm at Iquique city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroSoldiers guard a supermarket to prevent looting after a tsunami hit the northern port of Iquique, April 2, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroA soldier guards a gasoline station after a tsunami hit the northern port of Iquique, April 2, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroFishermen inspect boats sunk after a tsunami hit the northern port of Iquique, April 2, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroVehicles and boats lie on the shore after a tsunami hit the northern port of Iquique, April 2, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroResidents walk to higher ground after a Tsunami alarm at Talcahuano city, south of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Jose Luis SaavedraA military convoy travels along a road after a tsunami alarm at Iquique city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroA fire is seen at Iquique city from the top floor of a building during a vertical evacuation after a tsunami alarm at Iquique city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroResidents stay on the top floor of their building during a vertical evacuation after a tsunami alarm at Iquique city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Cristian ViveroVehicles and boats lie on the shore after a tsunami hit the northern port of Iquique, April 2, 2014. A major earthquake of 8.2 magnitude struck off the coast of northern Chile on
Tuesday, causing five deaths and triggering the tsunami that
pounded the shore with 2-meter-tall waves.Reuters/Cristian ViveroAn elderly person is evacuated from a shelter after a tsunami alarm at Antofagasta city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.ReutersPeople are evacuated from their shelter after a tsunami alarm at Antofagasta city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.ReutersResidents take their belongings to higher ground after a Tsunami alarm at Talcahuano city, south of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Jose Luis SaavedraResidents walk to higher ground after a Tsunami alarm at Talcahuano city, south of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Jose Luis SaavedraAn elderly person is evacuated from a shelter after a tsunami alarm at Antofagasta city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.ReutersA shake map of the Chilean Earthquake from the United States Geological SurveyUnited States Geological SurveyA general view of Iquique city from the top floor of a building during a vertical evacuation after a Tsunami alarm at Iquique city, north of Santiago on the southern Pacific coast, April 1, 2014.Reuters/Cristian Vivero
