Live report of magnitude 8.2 quake off Chile

Live report: Magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck in off Chile's northern coast, sparking tsunami.

13:17

A tsunami advisory has been issued for Hawaii, but no major damage is expected, US officials said.

"Based on all available data, a major tsunami is not expected to strike the state of Hawaii," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement.

"However, sea level changes and strong currents may occur along all coasts that could be a hazard to swimmers and boaters as well as to persons near the shore at beaches and in harbors and marinas."

12:17

Chile's Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said five people had died.

12:08

Officials said Chile's military was sending a planeload of special forces to guard against looting.

12:05

An airport was damaged. A seaside resaurant caught fire in Iquique.  

11:29

Two people were confirmed dead and three were seriously injured, the governor of Iquique Gonzalo Prieto told local radio station Cooperativa.

11:25

Authorities in Peru started evacuating communities in the southern coastal region of Ica. Electricity was partially lost in the Peruvian cities of Tacna, Moquegua and Arequipa but there were no reports of deaths or serious damage.

11:15

Chile's Collahuasi copper mine and port had no immediate problems following the quake, chief executive Jorge Gomez told Reuters, and mining company BHP Billiton said it had not received reports of damage. Chile is the world's No.1 copper producer.

11:12

300 prisoners took advantage of the confusion and escaped from a jail in Iquique, Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said.

10:51

Chile's Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo says tsunami alert for the country's coastline will go on for at least another six hours following quake. 

10:46

Chinese embassy in Chile has launched emergency mechanism following the strong earthquake, saying no reports of casualties received yet, CCTV reported.

10:28

A tsunami alert was initially issued for Chile, Peru and Ecuador, but was later extended to Colombia and Panama. Tsunami watches were issued for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, ABC News reported.

10:06

People check their phones after being evacuated from buildings in Iquique, northern Chile.

9:50

A tsunami warning could be issued for Hawaii following the quake, US officials said.

If tsunami waves reach Hawaii they would strike at 3:24 am (9:24 am ET) local time on Wednesday, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement.

9:41

Magnitude of quake off Chile has been revised up to 8.2 by US Geological Survey.

9:34

There is no serious damage to infrastructure or reports of victims, a government representative said.

"We have asked citizens to evacuate the entire coast ... there is no serious damage to houses ... there have been no people hurt," said home office minister Mahmud Aleuy.

9:21

The coasts of Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua were also at risk, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said.

9:10

[Background]Iquique is a key copper exporting port, close to the country's main copper mines. Mining companies Codelco and BHP Billiton said that had not yet received reports of damage to mines.

9:08

Chile's ONEMI emergency office said that it has initial reports that the massive earthquake has caused landslides which are partially blocking some roads and highways.

9:05

Authorities in Peru started evacuating communities in the southern coastal region of Ica on Tuesday after an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck off neighboring northern Chile, RPP radio reported.

9:03

Chile's navy says a tsunami has already hit some areas in the north of the country following a massive earthquake offshore.