A tsunami alert issued after a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake off the coast of southern Chile has now been lifted. <br/><br/>US Geological Survey said, the quake struck yesterday on the island of Chiloe, about 40km south-west of Quellon. No casualties have been reported. Some 4,000 people were evacuated. It hit an area of Chile known for tourism. Some roads and bridges were affected but damage appeared to be limited.<br/><br/>Chile's national emergency services office had initially issued a tsunami alert and ordered the evacuation of coastal areas of Los Lagos region. Residents of Quellon were among those who headed to safe areas ahead of the tsunami warning being lifted.

In Chile, officials removed a tsunami warning after a major 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck southern part of the country today prompting thousands to evacuate coastal areas. <br/><br/>US-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami warning was lifted after earlier issuing one for areas within 1,000 km of the epicenter of the quake 225 km southwest of Puerto Montt. <br/><br/>Chile's National Emergency Services (Onemi) chief Ricardo Toro said a tsunami watch remained in place, and reiterated his call for Los Lagos residents to abandon beaches and go to higher ground. Toro said no fatalities had been reported. <br/><br/>Onemi said approximately 4,000 people had evacuated the Los Lagos area. The quake's depth was about 34.6 km , the US Geological Survey said. <br/><br/>Chile is the world's leading copper producer, but there are no major mines located near the zone affected by the earthquake