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Chile: Twin aftershocks set off brief panic

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-03-04 03:35
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CONCEPCION, Chile – A pair of aftershocks only six seconds apart provoked a brief panic among citizens in Chile, but no tsunami warning was issued and no injuries or damage have been reported.

Chile: Twin aftershocks set off brief panic
Earthquake survivors live outside their damaged homes destroyed by a major earthquake in Constitucion March 3, 2010. [Agencies] 

Some residents of Concepcion started running for high ground when an aftershock to Saturday's destructive earthquake was followed just six seconds later by another. The US Geological Survey says Wednesday's temblors had preliminary magnitudes of 5.9 and 6.0, respectively. The 6.0 jolt was the strongest measured since Sunday.

Fire officials used loudspeakers to assure residents that no tsunami was imminent. Concepcion was badly damaged by Saturday's magnitude-8.8 quake.