SANTIAGO -- Twelve strong quakes rocked Chile on Thursday, including a few which took place minutes prior to the start of the inaugural ceremony of incoming President Sebastian Pinera.
The tremors, measuring 4.9 to 6.9 on the Richter scale, spawned panic in a number of areas across the central-southern section of the country, which was struck by a magnitude 8.8 quake last Februry 27.
A tsunami warning was issued by the Chilean Navy, prompting residents in coastal areas to flee to higher grounds. Thousands of people ventured out of their homes in panic, but there were no immediate reports of casualties.
In some areas, power and communication lines broke down.
The inaugural ceremony at the Congress building in Valparaiso went on as scheduled. After the event was over, bodyguards rushed Spain's Crown Prince Felipe out of the building.
The epicenter of Thursday's strongest aftershock was spotted approximately 145 km south of the capital Santiago, and about 105 km. west of Rancagua.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/americas/12-strong-quakes-shake-Chile-on-inauguration-day/Article1-518074.aspx
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