A magnitude 7.5 earthquake on the Richter scale shook the Magallanes region, in the southernmost part of Chile, on the morning of Friday, May 2. This seismic event triggered a tsunami alert along the coastline, including areas such as Punta Arenas, Puerto Williams, and the Chilean Antarctic territory.
According to the National Seismological Center (CSN), the quake occurred at 08:58 local time, with its epicenter located 218.1 kilometers south of Puerto Williams, at a depth of 10 kilometers. In response to this situation, the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA) issued the tsunami alert.
The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) recommended the evacuation of the coastal areas of the Magallanes Region and urged the maintenance of a state of caution in the Chilean Antarctic Territory.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric called for the evacuation of the coastal area in the Magallanes Region and emphasized the importance of following authorities' instructions to prevent risk situations. In his statements, Boric highlighted the activation of the Disaster Risk Management Committee (Cogrid) at the regional and national levels, ensuring that all state resources are available to address the emergency.
So far, no material damage or affected persons have been reported from the earthquake. Authorities continue to monitor possible unusual variations in sea levels in coastal areas while the population evacuates in an orderly manner.
Miguel Ortiz, deputy director of emergency management in the region, urged the population of Magallanes to remain evacuated in safe areas, as aftershocks from the quake are expected in the coming hours.