7.7 quake strikes Chile, tsunami warning issued

SANTIAGO: An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.7 struck 225 km (140 miles) southwest of Puerto Montt in southern Chile on Sunday, the United States Geological Survey said.

A tsunami warning was issued for areas within 1,000 km (621 miles) of the epicenter of the quake, the US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said. The Chilean Navy also issued a tsunami warning.

The quake's depth was about 15 km (nine miles).

Chile has a long history of deadly quakes, including a 8.8 magnitude quake in 2010 off the south-central coast, which also triggered a tsunami that devastated coastal towns.