SANTIAGO - A powerful earthquake has hit central Chile, causing buildings to sway in the capital Santiago, officials say.
The 8.3-magnitude tremor was centred off the coast, about 144 miles (232km) north-west of the capital. According to initial reports, at least two people died and 10 were injured.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that "widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible".
People head for higher ground after the tsunami alert in Valparaiso city. (Reuters photo)
The tsunami was headed towards Asia, although Southeast Asia appeared to be out of the danger zone. Hawaii went on tsunami watch.
Tsunami waves of up to three metres are possible along the coast of French Polynesia after an 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile, the Pacific Tsunami Center (PTWC) in Hawaii said on Thursday.
The PTWC also issued an alert for tsunami waves of between 0.3 to 1 metres (1-3 feet) for Japan, Antarctica, and most of the South Pacific, including New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands.
There were no immediate reports of damage, but evacuation was ordered in coastal areas. Tsunami sirens were heard in the port of Valparaiso.
The earthquake struck just off the coast at 19:54 local times (22:54 GMT), about 55km west of the city of Illapel, the US Geological Survey said.
Officials said it was at the depth of about 10km.
Chile's state copper miner Codelco said it was evacuating its workers at its Ventanas division after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast on Wednesday.
"We have no problems in any divisions. There is no damage to infrastructure or personnel," Codelco said in a tweet.