SANTIAGO, May 2 — Chilean authorities downgraded an evacuation red alert late Friday after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina, prompting initial fears of a tsunami in the remote Magallanes region and parts of Antarctica.
The earthquake, which occurred in the Drake Passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), was confirmed by the United States Geological Survey. The tremor triggered emergency protocols on both sides of the southern tip of South America, with Chile and Argentina temporarily halting coastal activities.
Chile’s National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (Senapred) had issued an evacuation order for coastal areas of the Magallanes region and Chilean Antarctic territory early Friday, citing the risk of tsunami waves. Hundreds of residents, including those in the isolated town of Puerto Williams, were safely evacuated as warning sirens sounded.
Interior Minister Alvaro Elizalde announced the downgrade in a press briefing, but urged continued caution. “While the evacuation alert has been downgraded, we strongly advise residents and tourists to stay away from beaches and coastal areas for now,” Elizalde said.
Footage circulating on social media showed orderly evacuations, with residents walking calmly through the streets as alarms rang out. The precautionary measures were taken despite no immediate reports of major damage or injuries.
President Gabriel Boric addressed the situation earlier, assuring citizens that national resources were mobilized to respond to any fallout. “We call for evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region,” Boric wrote on social media. “At this time, our duty is to be prepared and heed the authorities.”
According to Chile’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA), waves from the seismic event were expected to reach Chilean bases in Antarctica and coastal communities in the country’s far south within hours of the quake.
Magallanes, Chile’s largest and southernmost region, is sparsely populated, with an estimated 166,000 residents as of 2017. Its remote geography and limited infrastructure added urgency to the early warning efforts.
On the Argentine side, authorities in Ushuaia — the world’s southernmost city — temporarily suspended all maritime activity and water sports in the Beagle Channel for at least three hours following the quake.
“The earthquake was felt primarily in the city of Ushuaia and, to a lesser extent, in towns across the province,” local officials said in a statement. “In the face of these types of events, it is important to remain calm.”
No tsunami waves were observed as of Friday evening, though monitoring continues in the region.
