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Magnitude 6.7 quake hits Chile’s coast; no reports of damage

Jan 19, 2019 | 7:42 PM

SANTIAGO, Chile — A 6.7-magnitude earthquake shook cities and towns on Chile’s northern coast late Saturday, but there were no immediate reports of damages.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake’s epicenter was 15.6 kilometres (9.7 miles) south-southwest of Coquimbo, and it had a depth of 53 kilometres. It struck at 10:32 p.m. local time.

Chile’s National Emergency Office preventatively ordered the evacuation of a stretch of coast near the city of Coquimbo but later called it off.

Authorities said the quake didn’t have the characteristics that would generate a tsunami. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also discarded a tsunami threat.