“Powerful Earthquake Hits Argentina, Triggering Tsunami Alert. Authorities Urge Coastal Residents to Evacuate and Seek Safer Areas.
Buenos Aires, Argentina: A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Argentina’s coast on Friday, with tremors felt at 12:58:26 UTC near Drake Passage, 219 kilometers south of Ushuaia in southern Argentina, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Two suspected aftershocks were also reported. The epicenter of the quake was located off the coast of Ushuaia.
Following the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued, urging residents to evacuate coastal areas and move to safer locations. The US Tsunami Warning System issued a “hazardous waves” alert for regions within 300 kilometers of the epicenter, including parts of southern Argentina and Chile. In response, Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service advised the evacuation of the Magallanes region due to the tsunami threat.
Social media footage showed tsunami warning sirens in Puerto Williams and locals heading to safety. Chilean President Gabriel Boric called for an evacuation of the Magallanes coastline, emphasizing the importance of following authorities’ instructions. “At this time, our duty is to be prepared and heed the authorities,” Boric posted on X, confirming that national resources were mobilized for the crisis response. Local authorities reported no significant damage in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world.