Central Chile encountered major quake of 7.1 magnitude at 7:30 p.m. about 16 miles (27 kilometers) north-northwest of Talca on sunday night, a city of more than 200,000 people. Some people reported injured due to falling ceiling material of roof but no immediate major damage or death is reported due to quake related accident. Residents said that the shaking lasted approximate a minute. Phone service of the city collapsed due to heavy traffic.
“Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter is presently serving as acting president while Sebastian Pinera is on tour in Asia said, “There are some injuries but nothing serious.”
Police had noticed the ocean retreated about 130 feet (40 meters) from the shore in the towns of Iloca and Duao after seen this the Chilean navy’s hydrographic and oceanographic service and the national emergency office warned for tsunami in coastal area of north-northwest of Talca, area closest to the epicenter.
About 230 miles (370 kilometers) south of the capital, Mayor Israel Urrutia said a 74-year-old woman died of a heart attack during the quake, and he blamed it on the shaking due to quake.
Many coastal residents staying away from the shore remembering huge waves struck after the 2010 quake, killing 156 of the 524 victims of that disaster.
Earlier Chile had faced 8.8-magnitude quake and tsunami in 2010.
