Image via Shutterstock
A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake has hit northern Chile, just over 24 hours after an 8.2 tremor killed six people, destroyed 2,600 houses and led to mass evacuations.
A tsunami alert in Chile and Peru was again issued, but was later lifted after waves of 2.4ft hit coastal areas.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are aware of reports of further earthquakes off the northern coast of Chile including a 7.8 at 11.45pm local time.
“We are in contact with the national emergency services in Chile. If you are a British National affected by this incident you should monitor local media and follow the advice of the local authorities.
The quake was the strongest of several aftershocks following Tuesday’s tremor but there have been no reports of additional damage.
The aftershock caused buildings to wobble and people to run into the streets in the port of Iquique, which was one of the cities hit by Tuesday night’s quake, the BBC reported.
The latest quake was centred 14 miles south of Iquique.
The US Geological Survey said the aftershock had a depth of 12 miles and was felt across the border in southern Peru, where people in the cities of Tacna and Arequipa also fled buildings.