Strong quake jolts Chile's central region, no damage reportedFebruary 10, 2016 - 08:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Chile's central region Tuesday, Feb 9 evening, shaking buildings as far away as the capital of Santiago. But no damage or injuries were reported and authorities discounted the possibility of a tsunami hitting the country's long coast, according to the Associated Press. The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicenter of the quake was 25 miles (40 kilometers) west of Ovalle. It struck at 9:33 pm and caused buildings to shake in Santiago, 202 miles (326 kilometers) to the south-southeast. The USGS reported a 5.1-magnitude aftershock at 9:47 p.m. in the same central Coquimbo region. Chile's emergency services office said no damage to infrastructure was immediately reported and there were no indications of casualties. The navy said no tsunami alert was issued. Chile is highly earthquake-prone. Its central region was rocked by a powerful 8.3-magnitude quake in September 2015, but the country's heavy investment in structural reinforcement of buildings and constant refinement of its tsunami alert system helped prevent a catastrophe. A devastating 8.8-magnitude quake in 2010, and the tsunami it unleashed, killed more than 500 people and destroyed 220,000 homes. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |