A magnitude 7.5 earthquake has struck off the coast of Chile, leaving emergency services scrambling to evacuate local communities.
The quake struck Drake Passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica at a depth of just 10 km (six miles), the United States Geological Survey said.
Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service said a coastal area of Magallanes region in the southern tip of the country should be evacuated due to the risk of a tsunami.
"The US agency estimated initial tsunami waves could impact coastal regions along the Gulf of Penas in Chile around 3.22pm ET (15.22 UTC). The time between wave crests can vary between several minutes and an hour," the advisory says.
The location of the earthquake
USGS
Residents have been evacuatedXThe warning added that hazardous waves are possible for coasts within 300km of the earthquake epicentre.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric said on X after the alert: "We call for evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region.
"Right now, our duty is to be prepared and heed the authorities."
Chile's disaster agency told residents in the coastal region of Magallanes to evacuate, urging people to "act calmly and follow the instructions of the authorities and response teams".
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More than 1,100 people have been evacuated in the town of Puerto Williams
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"During evacuation, don't forget to consider your pet and its needs," the agency said.
More than 1,100 people have been evacuated in the town of Puerto Williams, local media reports.
It is currently unclear if any damage to buildings or infrastructure in Chile or Argentina has taken place.
The National Disaster Prevention and Response System said that they are "continuing to assess the impact on people and damage to infrastructure and basic services".
Map of the earthquake tremor
Getty
Social media footage shows people calmly evacuating as sirens blare in the background.
Bases in Antarctica are being evacuated, Chile's Antarctic institute (INAHC) has confirmed.
