Magnitude-5.3 tremor hits southern Chile

An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale jolted the southern Chilean region of Bio Bio on Tuesday morning, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake occurred at 8:47 a.m. local time, and its epicenter was located some 11 kilometers northeast of Concepcion City, which is about 519 kilometers south of the Chilean capital Santiago, according to the Seismological Information Service of the University of Chile.

The temblor was felt by most of the local population, said Carmen Fernandez, Chile's National Emergency Office director.

She said there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage, but the local telephone service has certainly reached its full saturation, cellphones in particular.

Due to the magnitude of the tremor, Fernandez warned of the possibility of more aftershocks in the region.

Source: Xinhua