Coastal areas of Chile and Argentina were evacuated after Chilean authorities issued a tsunami warning following a 7.4 magnitude earthquake off the country’s southern coast.
Thousands of people made their way to higher ground after the earthquake struck in the Drake Passage between Cape Horn, on the southern tip of South America, and Antarctica on Friday at 09:58 local time (12:58 GMT).
The US Geological Survey said its epicentre was 219km (136 miles) from Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s most southerly city.
The tsunami warning was issued for Chile’s remote Magallanes region and the Chilean Antarctic Territory, with precautionary measures also taken in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego region.
The earthquake struck at a shallow depth of 10km (6 miles), the US Geological Survey said. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
Residents in affected areas were advised to act calmly and follow the instructions of the authorities.
In a post on X, Chilean President Gabriel Boric said: “We call for evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region.”
More than 1,700 people moved to higher ground in the sparsely-populated area, including 1,000 from the town of Puerto Williams and 500 from Puerto Natales, , according to Chile’s disaster agency (Senapred).
Some 32 people