Chile earthquake triggers tsunami alert – one million evacuated

At least five people have died following an 8.3-magnitude tsunami-generating earthquake just offshore the central Chilean coast, which hit at 19:54 local time (22:54 GMT 16/09/2015). According to news reports, one million people have been evacuated following tsunami alerts for much of the Pacific.

Waves of between 3 to 5 meters were detected within minutes, and tide gauge observations at Coquimbo show that they have continued to reach the coast for several hours.

The earthquake has hit just as thousands of Chileans were travelling to coastal areas to celebrate a week of national holidays.

Up-to-date information on warnings can be obtained here from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.