On Christmas, 7.7 magnitude earthquake hits Chile, people evacuate coastal areas

Chile : A major earthquake rocked southern Chile on Sunday, triggering panic situation, initial tsunami threat and evacuations, but no initial reports of loss of life has been reported.

According to seismologists at the US Geological Survey, the quake was of 7.7 magnitude, with epicentre at the southern part of Chiloe island, in a zone of several national parks.

Local authorities released tsunami alert soon after it and alerted people living near the coastal region.

"There was no loss of human life" according to early reports, ONEMI said.

The mayor of the town of Ancud, Carlos Gomez, told Chilean television network Canal 13 that falling objects had caused some damage.

But hours later, "everything was back to normal," he said.