SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — The strongest aftershock since Chile’s devastating earthquake rocked the South American country Thursday as President Sebastian Pinera was sworn into office.
The 7.2-magnitude aftershock was stronger than the quake that destroyed the Haitian capital on Jan. 12.
Pinera Chile’s congress also was evacuated moments after Pinera was sworn in Thursday as a precautionary measure.
Aftershocks with preliminary magnitudes of 5.1, 7.2, 6.9 and 6.0, respectively, rocked Chile throughout the inauguration.
Pinera kept his cool but said Chileans shouldn’t ignore the possibility of dangerous waves. The Chilean Navy issued a tsunami warning, but the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the aftershocks were too small to cause dangerous waves.
There were no immediate reports of damages or injuries but the temblor – and at least three other aftershocks – strongly swayed buildings – shook windows and provoked nervous smiles among the dignitaries attending Pinera’s inauguration at the congressional building in coastal Valparaiso.
http://www.wptv.com/content/breakingnews/story/Strong-quakes-hit-Chile/8GCVSxAyck-FDavc19gh-A.cspx
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6250011n
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