Tsunami warning lifted after huge 7.7 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Chile

OFFICIALS have removed a tsunami warning after a major 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck southern Chile on Sunday, prompting thousands to evacuate coastal areas.

The U.S.-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami warning was lifted after earlier issuing one for areas within 620 miles of the epicenter of the quake 140 miles southwest of Puerto Montt.

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Chile's National Emergency Services (Onemi) chief Ricardo Toro said a tsunami watch remained in place, and reiterated his call for Los Lagos residents to abandon beaches and go to higher ground. Toro said no fatalities had been reported.

Onemi said approximately 4,000 people had evacuated the Los Lagos area.

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The quake's depth was about 21.5 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said. According to media reports, the quake was felt in the southwest Argentine city of Bariloche.

Chile is the world's leading copper producer, but there are no major mines located near the zone affected by the earthquake.

Chile's state-run oil company ENAP said its Bio Bio refinery in southern Chile was operating normally. The Puerto Montt airport was operating normally, a spokesman said.

Fishing and agriculture company Empresas AquaChile SA said its employees in the watch zone had been evacuated and were safe, adding that there was no damage to its facilities.

Alamiro Vera, owner of the Cabanas Hotel in the southern port city of Quellon, said the quake was strong, but did not see any structural damage.

"There was a lot, a lot of movement here, but besides that nothing of note, there weren't houses falling," Vera said. "It was just scary, and some things

Chile's naval oceanographic service has now declared a preventative tsunami alert as officials begin evacuating coastal areas in the southern part of the country.

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