Five killed by earthquake in Chile

FIVE people have died and a million evacuated following an 8.3 magnitude earthquake off the northern coast of Chile which shook buildings and caused coastal floods.

Tsunami alerts have been raised along almost all of the South American country’s Pacific coast after the quake, centred northwest of capital city Santiago, and one million people have had to leave their homes.

As aftershocks, including one with a 7.0 magnitude, rocked the coast, residents were told to leave the area for safety.

As far away as New Zealand the authorities have recommended people in eastern coastal areas stay out of the water as strong currents and unpredictable water flows are expected.

This is the first large earthquake registered in Chile, one of the world’s most quake-prone countries, since 2010, when hundreds were killed by an 8.8 magnitude quake.

President Michelle Bachelet said: “Once again we must confront a powerful blow from nature.”