Tsunami alert triggers evacuations in Chile and Argentina

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Drake Passage between Chile’s southern tip and Antarctica on Friday, May 2, 2025, triggering a tsunami warning for Chileans and Argentines.

The alert came on Friday, for Chile’s Magallanes region and parts of the Chilean Antarctic Territory, as well as precautionary measures in Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego region.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located 219km from Ushuaia, Argentina’s southernmost city, at a shallow depth of 10km.

*Evacuations and Response*

Over 1,700 people evacuated to higher ground in Chile’s sparsely populated Magallanes region, including 1,000 from Puerto Williams and 500 from Puerto Natales.

32 people reportedly followed evacuation procedures in Chile’s Antarctic research bases.

According to online media reports, Argentina’s civil protection agency reported around 2,000 people evacuated from the coastline in the Tierra del Fuego region.

Authorities’ Actions

Chilean President Gabriel Boric urged evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region via a post on X.

Also, Chile’s disaster agency, Senapred, issued its highest level of alert, mobilizing all resources to respond to the disaster.

Media reports showed footage of people calmly evacuating to higher ground in Puerto Williams, with sirens blaring, and Chile’s police force assisting individuals.

These included one officer pushing a person in a wheelchair up a hill.

Impact and History

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Earthquake Frequency:

Chile is reportedly prone to earthquakes due to the convergence of three tectonic plates: the Nazca, South American, and Antarctic plates.
– This region has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past, including a 9.5 magnitude quake in 1960 and an 8.8 magnitude quake in 2010 .

Tsunami Warning and Downgrade:

Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service issued a tsunami warning for the Magallanes region and parts of the Chilean Antarctic Territory.

The evacuation alert was later downgraded, but authorities advised people to stay away from beaches and coastal regions.

In Argentina, the earthquake was felt primarily in Ushuaia, with other towns affected “to a lesser extent”, the office for the governor of the region said.

An official from the region’s civil protection agency told local media that around 2,000 people had been evacuated away from the Argentine coastline.

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