(Vatican Radio) Tens of thousands of Chileans were evacuated in the immediate aftermath
of the earthquake that measured 8.2 on the Richter scale, and struck roughly 100km
off the coast of northern Chile, near the city of Iquique. Chile’s president, Michelle
Bachelet, declared the area a disaster zone, and promised soldiers and police reinforcements
to help maintain public order while roads were cleared and urgent repairs made.
The
U.S. Geological Survey put the temblor at a depth of 20.1 km below the seabed. The
quake generated a tsunami that reached the Chilean coast within 45 minutes. The largest
wave reported was 2 meters in height. Authorities canceled their tsunami warning
for most coastal areas in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Listen: