Coastal residents of Chile and Argentina were swiftly ordered to higher ground as a tsunami warning was issued following a significant 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Friday morning. The earthquake’s epicenter was located in the Drake Passage, approximately 219 kilometers (136 miles) from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.
The seismic event, reported at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), prompted authorities in Chile’s Magallanes region and the Antarctic Territory to take precautionary measures, with similar alerts in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego region. The earthquake occurred at 09:58 local time (12:58 GMT), causing alarm but initially reporting no damages or injuries.
Amid the chaos, Chilean President Gabriel Boric urged residents to evacuate coastal areas, stating, "We call for evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region." Emergency services reported that over 1,700 individuals moved to safer areas, with 1,000 evacuating from Puerto Williams and approximately 500 from Puerto Natales.
In addition, evacuees included 32 personnel from Chile's Antarctic research bases, reflecting the seriousness of the situation, as the country's disaster response agency (Senapred) executed its highest alert level, enabling mobilization of extensive resources.
Social media footage depicted residents calmly retreating to elevated land in Puerto Williams, as sirens echoed in the backdrop. Additionally, videos showcased supportive efforts by law enforcement, including officers assisting those in need, such as a police officer helping a person in a wheelchair ascend a hill in the small community of around 2,800 people.
In Argentina, the earthquake tremors were mostly felt in Ushuaia, with civil protection officials reporting around 2,000 residents evacuated from the coastal area. Chile’s geographic position along three converging tectonic plates results in frequent seismic activity, making preparedness vital in the region.
