Tsunami Warning Triggers Mass Evacuations in Southern Chile and Argentina

Authorities have issued tsunami alerts, prompting thousands to evacuate in response to the seismic disturbance.

Coastal communities in Chile and Argentina found themselves on high alert today following a tsunami warning initiated by Chilean officials after a significant 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck in the Drake Passage. The quake occurred at 09:58 local time (12:58 GMT) and was recorded approximately 219 km (136 miles) from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.

The earthquake’s shallow depth of 10 km (6 miles) raised concerns about potential tsunami impacts, leading to urgent evacuations in Chile's Magallanes region and the adjacent Chilean Antarctic territory. Precautionary measures were also enacted in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego region, as thousands of residents sought higher ground.

Chilean disaster agency Senapred reported that over 1,700 individuals were moved to safety, with the towns of Puerto Williams and Puerto Natales seeing the most evacuations. Among those relocating were 1,000 from Puerto Williams, and around 500 from Puerto Natales. The agency issued a top-tier alert for disaster preparedness, mobilizing all necessary resources for the response.

Images circulating on social media depicted residents calmly ascending hills amidst blaring sirens, while local authorities demonstrated solidarity and support, including police officers assisting those in vulnerable situations, such as wheelchair users.

In Argentina, the earthquake’s intensity was mainly felt in Ushuaia, where civil protection officials reported an evacuation of approximately 2,000 people. The region's governor emphasized that other towns experienced milder effects. Chile is no stranger to such seismic events due to its unique geological positioning, where three tectonic plates converge, making earthquake preparedness a critical aspect of life in the nation.