Chile’s northern Antofagasta region was struck by a massive 7.3-magnitude earthquake on Thursday (local time), the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.
No tsunami risk emanated from the tremors, as per the US Tsunami Warning System. Chile’s national disaster prevention and response service (SENAPRED) traced the epicenter of the earthquake around 20 km south of the popular tourist town of San Pedro de Atacama.
There were no immediate reports of damage. SENAPRED said in a statement, though, that it was checking “possible damages to people, alterations to basic services or infrastructure as a result of this earthquake.”
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Chilean President Gabriel Boric said, “I have already communicated with the regional Delegate and so far there are no reports of major damage but teams are gathering information.”
Chile is located on the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of intense seismic activity, and hence is highly earthquake-prone. In 2010, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 8.8 and a subsequent tsunami claimed 526 lives in the country.