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Tsunami warning and evacuation of thousands after earthquake in Chile
Deaths reported and people on coast spending night in the hills after magnitude 8.2 undersea quake triggers emergency
Evacuation under way in Antofagasta, Chile, after an offshore earthquake triggered a tsunami alert. Photograph: Javiera Mora Araya/EPA
An earthquake of magnitude 8.2 has jolted northern Chile, triggering a tsunami alert and the evacuation of thousands of people from coastal areas. At least five people were killed and more than 300 women escaped from a coastal prison.
The quake was centred under the Pacific Ocean 61 miles north-west of the city of Iquique and struck at 8.46pm as thousands of residents were arriving home from work.
As sirens blared and emergency warnings urged residents to evacuate by foot to higher ground, in coastal cities traffic jams ensued as panicked residents sought to escape the coast. The first tsunami surge measured 2.5 metres (8.2ft) and flooded low-lying areas of Iquique including a medical clinic and bus terminal.
Source: http://philosophers-stone.co.uk/wordpress/2014/04/tsunami-warning-and-evacuation-of-thousands-after-earthquake-in-chile/
