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An 8.3 magnitude quake struck off the central Chilean coast on Wednesday night.

People in Coquimbo, Chile, recover items from destroyed houses next to a ship dragged by the waves after a powerful quake .

“We are grateful to report that all missionaries in the area near the quake in Chile are accounted for and safe”, said Eric Hawkins, spokesman for the church, in a prepared statement. “People have to know what happens in an aftershock, what to do, what not to...

Authorities reported one death in a town north of the capital. Adobe structures were destroyed, and cars were dragged by the quake and subsequent powerful waves that slammed into coastal towns. Some homes were damaged as well.

Boats are heading out to sea and people on land are leaving coastal areas for higher ground.

The tremor was so strong that people in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on the other side of the continent, reported feeling it, as did people in Peru and Brazil.

Peruvian authorities said waves of less than 1 meter (3 feet) could hit the country’s southern shoreline at 8:30 p.m. local time (2130 ET) and urged people to avoid coastal areas.

The government canceled tsunami warnings for its entire seaboard on Thursday morning.

A tsunami advisory has been issued for coastal areas of California after a magnitude 8.3 earthquake hit central Chile on Wednesday.

Bachelet advised people in a televised address not to return to their homes yet and remain on high grounds, until authorities certify that it is safe for them to return at their homes.