Powerful aftershock rattles Chile
TOCOPILLA, Chile (AFP) — A powerful 6.8 magnitude aftershock rattled northern Chile Thursday, a day after the country was struck by a 7.7 magnitude temblor that killed two people and left thousands homeless.
With President Michelle Bachelet touring the area following Wednesday's damage, the aftershock, very near the site of Wednesday's quake, was 93 km (58 miles) north-northeast of Antofagasta, Chile, according to the US Geological Survey, which monitors seismological activity around the world.
Bachelet arrived in Tocopilla early Thursday to hammer out what emergency response actions would be taken. Alarmed residents spilled into the streets when the aftershock jolted the town.
The US Tsumnai Warning Center in Hawaii did not issue and immediate tsunmai warning, but said in a statement that "local tsunamis are possible due to underwater landslides" at coastal areas near the epicenter of the quake.
The aftershock was followed by a weaker, 5.2 magnitude temblor in the same area.
