Chile quake: State of emergency declared for Coquimbo

Chile's government has declared a state of emergency in a central region struck by a powerful earthquake. One million people had to leave their homes and at least 11 people died when the 8.3-magnitude quake hit on Wednesday night. In the coastal town of Coquimbo, waves of 4.7m (15ft) hit the shore. Small tsunami waves hit as far away as Alaska. President Michelle Bachelet visited Coquimbo on Thursday. Tsunami waves also hit the coast further north and south of the quake's epicentre, with waves half a metre higher than usual as far north as La Punta. The quake - the strongest in the world this year - lasted for more than three minutes and there were dozens of aftershocks, according to BBC.

--Shuvo--