Chile and Peru face 7.3 earthquake with effective joint response

This Thursday night, Chile was shaken by a powerful earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located 265 kilometers east of Antofagasta and a hypocenter at a depth of 126 kilometers. Despite the magnitude of the earthquake, Chilean authorities and seismological services reported that no tsunami alerts were triggered and no victims or significant damages were reported. The United States Geological Survey, on the other hand, reported the earthquake's magnitude as 7.4, causing an initial alert among the population and local authorities. However, President Gabriel Boric used his social media to quickly communicate the situation and reassure the citizens. The Chilean president informed that he contacted the presidential delegate of the affected region and so far no injuries or major damages have been reported. Nevertheless, emergency teams are gathering information and assessing the situation in the areas near the epicenter. The seismological center detailed that the 7.3 magnitude earthquake was felt in various regions of the country, including Arica and Parinacota, Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, and Coquimbo. In some areas, rockfalls on roads and power outages were reported, such as on the road between Calama and Tocopilla, as well as in San Pedro de Atacama. Furthermore, the earthquake was detected in the southern regions of Tacna and Arequipa in Peru, causing alarm among residents in those areas. Despite the initial concern, no personal or material damages have been reported in these areas so far. The residents of Arequipa, a more populated region than Tacna, also reported feeling the tremor through social media. In conclusion, despite the magnitude of the earthquake, Chile and Peru managed to deal with the situation effectively, thanks to the quick response of authorities and the population's preparedness for seismic events. The cooperation between both countries in disaster management was crucial in ensuring the safety and well-being of citizens amid this emergency.