Million people forced to flee homes after Chile earthquake

An 8.3-magnitude earthquake that hit off the coast of Chile killed at least 12 people, with five listed as missing, and caused billions in damage.

The most remarkable thing about Wednesday night's earthquake, however, may be the relatively low amount of havoc caused by such a powerful shake.

More than a million people to evacuate coastal areas, but experts said the death toll could have been far higher.

At least five people are now known to have died following a powerful magnitude 8.3 earthquake off the coast of Chile.

The Agence France-Presse news agency also reports that one million people have been evacuated from areas hit by the tremors or at risk of tsunami flooding.

Several aftershocks, including one at magnitude-7 and four above 6, shook the region after the initial earthquake.

Flagpoles, buildings and electrical lines can be seen swaying dangerously as tremors from a powerful magnitude 8.3 earthquake hit towns and cities in Chile.

At least five people have died in the quake - the worst to hit the South American country in five years.

In 2010, a magnitude 8.8 quake and ensuing tsunami in central Chile killed more than 500 people, destroyed 220,000 homes, and washed away docks and seaside resorts.

That quake released so much energy, it shortened the Earth's day by a fraction of a second by changing the planet's rotation.

At least three people have died following a strong earthquake in Chile, the country's president has confirmed.

President Michelle Bachelet said in a statement that three people had been killed in the quake and that she would visit the worst affected areas of the country.

The magnitude 8.3 quake is the worst to hit Chile in five years and triggered flooding in some coastal towns and sent terrified citizens fleeing into the streets.

• More: Chile quake tremors 'felt on east coast of Argentina'

Tremors from a magnitude 8.3 earthquake off the coast of Chile were felt across the border with Argentina, hundreds of miles inland.

One Twitter user, Vickivillalobos, posted this video reportedly of heavy swells in a swimming pool in the Argentine town of Tunuyan, some 442km (274 miles) inland from Valparaíso - the nearest Chilean coastal city to the epicentre of the quake.

Residents in Buenos Aires 1,457km (905 miles) away on the eastern seaboard of South America also reported feeling the tremors, according to reports.

Tsunami alerts have been issued for parts of California's Pacific coast following an earlier strong magnitude 8.3 earthquake near Chile.

At least one person has died and 15 others injured in Chile following a strong earthquake off the country's west coast.

The mayor of Illapel, a town near the epicentre of the quake, said on a radio broadcast that one person had been killed by a collapsing wall, and 15 others were reported injured.

Reports from the Reuters news agency say the quake was felt as far away as the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, on the eastern coast of South America.

Buildings and mining facilities have been evacuated after a strong earthquake struck off the coast of Chile.

Local media and news agency reporters say there are no initial reports of casualties following the magnitude 8.3 quake.

Aftershocks of magnitude 6.2 and 6.4 have since been reported by the US Geological Survery.

@huella_digital posted this image to Twitter showing scores of people in the streets in Valparaiso, the coastal city nearest to the epicenter.

Chilean news anchor Hugo Chávez also tweeted this photo of Santiago airport being evacuated.

Hazardous Tsunami waves warning have issued for the Pacific island of Hawaii and coastal regions in parts of Peru and Chile.

A tsunami warning has been issued for the Pacific island of Hawaii following a magnitude 8.3 earthquake off the west coast of Chile.

Reuters report that tremors from the quake shook buildings in Chile's capital city Santiago.

There are no initial reports of injuries or damage, the news agency said.

Tsunami waves are also possible along the coasts of Chile and Peru, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

If tsunami waves reach Hawaii, experts have estimated the earliest arrival time to be 02:28 Hawaii Standard Time (12:28 GMT).

The US Geological Survey initially reported the quake at a preliminary magnitude of 7.9, but it was quickly upgraded.