Asia-Pacific

North Chile hit by 6.2-magnitude quake

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-27 00:48

WASHINGTON/SANTIAGO: An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit quake-battered Chile on Friday but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The quake was centered about 49 miles (79 km) south of the northern city of Copiapo at a depth of 21.7 miles (35 km). It was felt slightly in Santiago.

"There are no preliminary reports of any damage," a spokesman at Chile's National Emergency Office ONEMI said.

Chile's Navy said there was no tsunami alert. Local radio said businesses and schools near Copiapo evacuated children and staff as a precaution.

Chile's state copper giant Codelco, the world's top producer of the red metal, said none its mining operations had been affected.

Hundreds were killed and parts of south-central Chile lie in ruins from the February 27 quake that set off tsunamis and powerful aftershock.

The February quake was the fifth strongest on record since 1900 and as expected has produced hundreds of aftershocks, most minor but two of 6.9 magnitude -- nearly as strong as the 7.0 quake that devastated Haiti.