On June 6, residents of northern Chile felt a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4, which occurred at 1:15 p.m. local time. The epicenter was located in the Atacama Desert region, near the Pacific Ocean coast. The hypocenter lay at a depth of 65 kilometers.
Seismic tremors were felt in several settlements of the Atacama region. People fled homes and offices in panic.
According to the National Emergency Office (ONEMI), no structural damage was officially reported. However, eyewitness videos captured partial collapses of building facades. The earthquake also triggered landslides and the formation of cracks in roadways.
Approximately 23,000 people temporarily lost electricity due to damage to power lines.
Chile’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service promptly assessed the tsunami threat and confirmed that conditions were not sufficient for its formation. Nevertheless, authorities urged coastal residents to remain vigilant and avoid hazardous areas.
Rescue teams were dispatched to inspect infrastructure, including bridges, hospitals, and schools.
Northern Chile is one of the most seismically active regions on the planet, and earthquakes are not uncommon here. However, a magnitude of 6.4 is considered high enough to cause damage, especially in areas with vulnerable infrastructure.
Despite the strength of the tremors, fortunately, no casualties were reported.
Experts continue to monitor the situation and do not rule out the possibility of aftershocks in the coming days.
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