A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake has hit north-central Chile, resulting in the death of two people from heart attacks. The police said the two suffered cardiac arrests as a result of the quake.
The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 53 kilometers with an epicenter some 15 kilometers southwest of Coquimbo.
Following the earthquake, there were several landslides reported on national highways.
Residents in Coquimbo and neighbouring Serena, a coastal region about 500 kilometers from capital Santiago, have been evacuated to high ground. Local media reported that the authorities have ruled out a tsunami.
Chile is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries. An 8.8-magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami in 2010 killed 525 people.