Strong natural disaster hits off Chile again

Its epicentre was 93 km northwest of Coquimbo and 466 km northwest of Santiago.

A 6.9 magnitude strong quake jolted Chile on Tuesday late night, no tsunami warning was issued initially, reported news agencies.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said that based on all available data they have received, there is no threat of a tsunami.

Coquimbo is located at the region of high quake activity.

Images on Chilean television showed empty streets in La Serena. There are no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

It was followed by a second 6.8-magnitude quake almost an hour later, at 11.46pm local time. The quake and the tsunami killed more than 500 people, destroyed 220,000 homes and washed away seaside resorts, docks and river fronts.

Chile lies on what is known as the "Ring of Fire" - an arc of fault lines that circles the Pacific Basin and is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.