US Geological Survey reports 6.4-magnitude earthquake in Chile; no damage or injuries reported

SANTIAGO, Chile – SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the region around Valparaiso, Chile on Saturday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage from the strong quake that occurred at 22:32 GMT (7:32 p.m. EDT), but electricity and telephone service was interrupted in some areas. Three aftershocks were registered in the area shortly thereafter.

The seismological service initially reported the initial quake’s magnitude as 6.6, but later downgraded it to 6.4.

A preliminary report showed the quake was centred in the Valparaiso area about 18 kilometres (11 miles) west-northwest of a community called Hacienda La Calera, around 118 kilometres (73 miles) from the capital of Santiago. It had a depth of about 32 kilometres (19 miles.)