7.2 magnitude quake hits Chile

A major earthquake struck Chile on Sunday afternoon, according to Chilean authorities.

A major earthquake struck Chile on Sunday afternoon, according to Chilean authorities.

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The quake registered a magnitude of 7.2, striking at 5.20pm (2020 GMT). There was no tsunami danger, authorities said.

The epicentre of the earthquake was 69 km northwest of Temuco, Chile, and 171 km south of Concepcion, at a depth of 16 km, according to the US Geological Survey.

Chilean emergency authorities said there were reports of power outages in the Araucania region, 589 km south-southwest of the capital, Santiago.

There was no immediate information about other damage.

A massively powerful earthquake struck Chile in February 2010, with a magnitude of 8.8. The quake left about 500 people dead.