Magnitude 5.9 earthquake strikes central Chile, shaking Santiago

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck central Chile, with shaking felt across the Valparaiso region and in the capital, Santiago, according to preliminary data.

The earthquake struck at 4:34 p.m. local time on Sunday and was centered in the Valparaiso region, according to preliminary information from the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

EMSC placed the epicenter about 26 kilometers (16 miles) from Viña del Mar and about 115 kilometers (71 miles) from Santiago. It struck at a depth of 16 kilometers (10 miles).

The earthquake was widely felt across the region, including in Valparaiso and Santiago, where some people reported receiving phone alerts moments before the shaking began.

Felt reports indicated moderate to strong shaking in some areas, especially on upper floors, but there were no immediate indications of major impacts.

Chile is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries because it sits along the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. Strong earthquakes are relatively common in the country, including along its central coast.