An earthquake in Chile, magnitude 8.2, has caused devastating deaths of at least 5 people, and now a tsunami warning has forced the evacuation of thousands after its wake. People on the coasts of Chile are now spending the night in the hills as the magnitude 8.2 earthquake in Chile triggered an emergency warning that a tsunami may be on its way.
The alert prompted the evacuation of thousands of people from coastal areas. At least five people died from the earthquake in Chile, and with a coastal prison destroyed in the country, more than 300 women have escaped. An ad-hoc security force of police and some Chilean armed forces members immediately searched Iquique for the 329 or so female prisoners. Initial reports claim 16 prisoners have been apprehended by police.
The earthquake in Chile affected thousands of residents at 8.46pm. Authorities were quick to respond when sirens blared, issuing emergency warnings and telling residents to evacuate and go to higher ground. Panicked residents eventually escaped the coast.
A first tsunami surge did occur afterwards and it measured 8.2ft, that's 2.5 meters, of sea water flooding the low-lying areas of Iquique.
The earthquake in Chile also caused a huge fire in central Iquique that fire fighters were also quick to respond to. However, lack of water and electricity in the place added to the chaos after the quake. Meanwhile, special forces police boarded a Hercules transport plane and flew north to offer reinforcements and help prevent looting. Police in Iquique were able to take control of the service stations and supermarkets as well.
There were already reports of damage to infrastructures and homes during the early hours of Wednesday after the earthquake in Chile. Several highways were reportedly blocked by rockslides and an airport control tower was damaged. Strong aftershocks followed every few minutes throughout early Wednesday, some above a magnitude 6.
Universidad de Chile earthquake experts predicted the aftershocks would continue for months following this earthquake in Chile.
After the earthquake in Chile, president Michelle Bachelet told the residents to remain calm and said a full damage estimate would be made at daybreak.
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