SANTIAGO (AFP) — A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit central Chile, the US Geological Survey said, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The temblor struck at 6:19 pm (2119 GMT) Thursday near Valparaiso, around 100 kilometers (62 miles) west of the capital Santiago, USGS said.
It lasted about 45 seconds and was felt over a wide area, including Santiago albeit with less intensity.
It was followed by two, smaller aftershocks seven and 31 minutes later, the second of which measured 5.8 degrees, USGS said.
Chile's National Emergency Office director Carmen Fernandez said the Valparaiso area was most affected by the earthquake, although she added that no reports of victims or damage have been received from there.
"Some telephone lines were down but more due to a surge in calls than to line damage," she added.
"It shows (the earthquake) caused more of a scare than anything else."
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