Following the earthquake in Russia, Chile evacuated more than a million people from the coast due to the risk of a tsunami

Chile evacuated more than 1.4 million people from its extensive coastal strip this Wednesday, after an 8.8 magnitude earthquake shook the far east of Russia, according to the Minister of the Interior Álvaro Elizalde after the arrival of the first wave train to the national territory and within the framework of a tsunami alert issued for the entire Chilean coastline.

The earthquake, which occurred at 23:24 GMT on Tuesday at a depth of 20.7 kilometers and 126 kilometers off the coast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, the capital of the Russian Kamchatka peninsula, was the most intense earthquake recorded since 2011, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Russian authorities reported only minor injuries and limited damage after the event.

In Chile, at 15:08 local time (18:08 GMT), the first waves were recorded on the northern coast, reaching 60 centimeters in the city of Coquimbo and up to 70 centimeters on Easter Island. During the day, according to the Chilean Geoscientific Network, a disturbance of 40 centimeters was observed in Chañaral, Atacama region, the largest recorded so far, as well as lower heights in different northern locations: 30 centimeters in Caldera, 25 in Mejillones, 23 in Paposo and Taltal, 17 in Iquique and 16 in Pisagua.

The National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred) activated the red alert early in the morning, mobilizing the coastal population, where approximately one and a half million people reside. Evacuations were deployed in phases, starting on Easter Island at 6:00 local time (12:00 GMT) and progressing towards the mainland during the rest of the day, passing through regions such as Arica and Parinacota, Antofagasta, O’Higgins, Maule and Los Lagos. The Undersecretary of the Interior, Víctor Ramos, highlighted that the evacuation took place “in an orderly and disciplined manner.” To facilitate the process, the government suspended classes in all educational establishments near the coast, and artisanal fishermen removed their boats from the beach. For larger vessels, they were ordered to set sail out to sea, following the protocols established for emergencies of this type. Simultaneously, the government made the decision to evacuate five prisons and several hospitals on the coast, although, according to sources from the Ministries of Interior and Health, the evolution of the phenomenon continued to be monitored before completing the measure, depending on the expected intensity of the waves. In locations like Valparaíso and Iquique, groups of citizens were observed moving to elevated areas, such as hills or stadiums, in response to the sound of evacuation alarms. The Port of Valparaíso ceased activities in Terminals 1 and 2, according to the concessionaire, and in coordination with the Chilean Navy, the docked ships set sail to sea to avoid possible damage.

President Gabriel Boric called for calm through his account on the social network X, recalling the precedent of the 2010 earthquake, when an insufficient alert after the earthquake triggered a deadly tsunami. “Remember that normally the first wave is not the strongest. Let’s act calmly and follow official instructions”, the president pointed out.

The tsunami alert prompted the preventive closure of most Chilean ports, a situation confirmed by the president of the Maritime Port Chamber, Daniel Fernández Kopric, who reported practically total interruptions in port operations. Chilean authorities, in coordination with the Geoscientific Network and Senapred, are monitoring and communicating directly with the population to manage the safe return to evacuated areas once the risk of new waves associated with the seismic event in the Kamchatka Peninsula passes. The phenomenon also affected other Pacific countries, where tsunami alerts were issued, including nations such as the United States, Mexico, Colombia, and Peru. As of the closing of this report, the government has not reported any fatalities or significant material damage, although the state of alert and the mobilization of resources to respond to possible contingencies persist.

SOURCE: INFOBAE