A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the coastal regions of Argentina and Chile on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor shook the coastal areas of both countries.

According to the Anadolu news agency, the earthquake occurred at 9:58 AM local time at a depth of 10 kilometers. Following the quake, Chile issued a tsunami warning for the entire Magellan Strait region.

Chile’s National Disaster Prevention Service ordered the evacuation of all people from the coastal areas of the Antarctic region, warning of potential tsunami waves. However, Argentina did not issue any tsunami alert. As of initial reports, no damage or casualties have been confirmed.

The USGS stated that the earthquake struck in the Drake Passage, located between Antarctica and Cape Horn.

After the earthquake, the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center stated that a dangerous tsunami could be generated, potentially affecting coastal areas within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. It specifically warned that a tsunami could hit Puerto Williams, Chile around 6:55 PM local time.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric confirmed the evacuation orders for coastal residents. In a post on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:
“We are calling for the evacuation of everyone from the entire coastline of the Magallanes region. At this moment, our priority is to stay prepared and follow the authorities’ instructions. We are fully ready for a possible tsunami.”