A tsunami warning has been lifted after a powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake off the southern coast of Chile on Sunday.<br /><br /> It struck, at a depth of some 34 km, near Quellon on the island of Chiloe, southwest of the city of Puerto Montt.<br /><br /> No deaths are being reported but the quake did cause damage.<br /><br /> Thousands of people fled to higher ground after evacuations were ordered in the Los Lagos region, amid fears a tsunami could bring up to 3 metre high waves crashing into low-lying areas, as far as 1,000 kilometres away from the epicentre.<br /><br /> Chile has a long history of deadly quakes, including a 8.8 magnitude quake in 2010 off the south-central coast, which also triggered a tsunami that devastated a coastal town.<br /><br /> President Michelle Bachelet tweeted her support for those subjected to this latest tremor.<br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> ¡Mucha fuerza y ánimo a los compatriotas afectados por el sismo en Chiloé y otras zonas del sur! Protocolos de emergencia ya están operando.— Michelle Bachelet (@mbachelet) 25 décembre 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> “Much strength and encouragement to the compatriots affected by the tremor in Chiloe and other areas in the south. Emergency procedures are already in place,” she said.<br />
