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6.9-Magnitude Quake Strikes Chile As President Pinera Sworn In

by Yuliya Talmazan | March 11, 2010 at 08:56 am

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A Powerful Earthquake Strikes Chile As New President Is Sworn In

New Chilean President Sebastian Pinera quite literally had a shaky start to his rule. As the new president was sworn in, a new powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck Chile, as reported by U.S. Geological Survey. CNN reported a 7.2-magnitude quake. The country was first hit by a devastating 8.8-magnitude earthquake that killed close to 800 people on February 27. Tsunami warnings were issued throughout Pacific rim, prompting evacuations of hundreds of people to higher grounds.

Today's earthquake struck at 11:39 AM local time, 145 km south west off the capital of Santiago. Within minutes, the quake was followed by powerful aftershooks of 6.7 and 6.0 magnitude on the Richter scale. No tsunami warning was issued. No deaths or damages have been reported at this point.

The event attracted dignitaries from around the world, including Peter Kent, the Canadian minister of state of foreign affairs for the Americas. Bolivian President Evo Morales seemed briefly disoriented when the aftershocks struck. President Alan Garcia of Peru joked that it gave them "a moment to dance."

The first quake struck 135 km south of the city of Valparaiso, where new Chilean President Sebastian Pinera was about to be inaugurated. The ceremony went as planned with no interruptions and finished at 12:15 local time, just nine minutes after the last aftershock tremor.

Pinera was elected on January 17, earning more than 50% of popular vote.