Coastal communities in Chile and Argentina are in a state of alert following a tsunami warning issued after a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the southern coast of Chile. The earthquake occurred in the Drake Passage, the body of water between Cape Horn and Antarctica, at 09:58 local time (12:58 GMT), as reported by the US Geological Survey.

The tremor's epicenter was located approximately 219 kilometers (136 miles) from Ushuaia, Argentina, recognized as the southernmost city globally. The warning primarily affects the Magallanes region in Chile and the Chilean Antarctic Territory, prompting precautionary evacuations even in Argentina's Tierra del Fuego region.

Shocking residents, the earthquake struck at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers (6 miles). Fortunately, initial reports indicate no significant damage or injuries. Nevertheless, local authorities urge residents to remain calm and adhere to evacuation instructions.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric took to social media platform X, announcing the need for evacuations along the entire coastline of the Magallanes region. Reports indicate that over 1,700 individuals safely moved to higher ground, including approximately 1,000 from Puerto Williams and 500 from Puerto Natales, as confirmed by Chile’s disaster response agency Senapred.

At the same time, evacuation procedures were followed by 32 personnel at Chile's Antarctic research bases. The agency has activated its highest disaster alert level, allowing for the mobilization of all available resources to assist in the emergency.

Videos shared online depicted local residents calmly ascending to higher ground amidst the blaring sirens, including footage of police officers aiding a wheelchair-bound individual. In Argentina, individuals felt the earthquake mainly in Ushuaia while other towns experienced less disturbance. Local civil protection officials estimate that around 2,000 people were evacuated from the Argentine coast.

Chile frequently experiences seismic activity due to the convergence of three major tectonic plates, underscoring the region's geological volatility.