Magnitude 8.2 Earthquake Hit Northern Chile

A fire burns at a restaurant after an earthquake in Iquique, Chile, Tuesday, April 1, 2014. A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile’s northern coast Tuesday night. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage, but buildings shook in nearby Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz. (AP Photo/Cristian Viveros) NO PUBLICAR EN CHILE

A powerful magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck off northern Chile on Tuesday night killing at least 5 people.

The Telegraph reported that according to the the United States Geological Survey (USGS) , the powerful quake struck at 8.46 pm local time (2346 GMT) at the relatively shallow depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), 83 kilometres from Iquique on Chile’s northern coast.

A view of the city of Iquique, Chile, after an earthquake struck late Tuesday, April 1, 2014. A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile’s northern coast Tuesday night. Buildings also shook in nearby Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz. (AP Photo/Cristian Viveros) NO PUBLICAR EN CHILE

The earthquake caused landslides that blocked roads, power failed for thousands, damaged an airport and caused fire to some buildings.

It also shook modern buildings in nearby Peru and in Bolivia’s high altitude capital of La Paz.

About 300 inmates escaped from a women’s prison in the city of Iquique.

However, Chilean press reported that 30-40 escaped prisoners had been recaptured.

A tsunami warning remained in effect for northern Chile, but alerts were lifted elsewhere.

Geophysicist Gerard Fryer at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center told The Associated Press:

“We regard the coast line of Chile as still dangerous, so we’re maintaining the warning,”

The center warned that the U.S. state of Hawaii, might see higher waves on Wednesday. 

https://twitter.com/FranklinBlog/status/451203657841639424

In Peru, waves of 2 meters above normal forced about 200 people to leave the seaside town of Boca del Rio.

More than 10 strong aftershocks followed in the first few hours, including a 6.2 tremor.

Seismologist Mario Pardo from the University of Chile said that more aftershocks and even a larger quake could not be ruled out.

A Magnitude 7.7 Paskistan Earthquake Killed 327, Created An Island

People walk on an island that rose from the sea following an earthquake, off Pakistan’s Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea September 25, 2013. (REUTERS)

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck Baluchistan on Tuesday.

The U.S. Geological Survey said, the quake, with a depth of about nine miles (about 15 kilometers), struck 43 miles (69 kilometers) northeast of Awaran and 71 miles (114 kilometers) northwest of Bela.

It destroyed houses and cut communications with the worst affected district of Awaran.

The earthquake was so powerful that it caused a small island to emerge from the Arabian Sea, just off the Pakistani coast.

Pakistani officials said that the earth moved with enough force to create a small island visible off the southern coast after the huge tremor. 

By Wednesday, at least 327  were reported killed in the strong earthquake.

Please click the photos for larger images:

The rubble of a house is seen after it collapsed following the quake in the town of Awaran, southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, September 25, 2013. The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Pakistan rose to at least 208 on Wednesday after hundreds of mud houses collapsed on people in a remote area near the Iranian border, officials said. REUTERS/Sallah Jan

People walk on an island that rose from the sea following an earthquake, off Pakistan’s Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea September 25, 2013. A major earthquake hit a remote part of western Pakistan on Tuesday, killing at least 45 people and prompting the new island to rise from the sea just off the country’s southern coast. The earthquake was so powerful that it caused the seabed to rise and create a small, mountain-like island about 600 meters off Pakistan’s Gwadar coastline. Television channels showed images of a stretch of rocky terrain rising above the sea level, with a crowd of bewildered people gathering on the shore to witness the rare phenomenon. (REUTERS)

An island that rose from the sea following an earthquake is pictured off Pakistan’s Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea September 25, 2013. (REUTERS)

The rubble of a house is seen after it collapsed following the quake in the town of Awaran, southwestern Pakistani province of Baluchistan, September 25, 2013. The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Pakistan rose to at least 208 on Wednesday after hundreds of mud houses collapsed on people in a remote area near the Iranian border, officials said. (REUTERS/Sallah Jan)

People walk on an island that rose from the sea following an earthquake, off Pakistan’s Gwadar coastline in the Arabian Sea September 25, 2013. (REUTERS)

Earthquake Hit China’s Sichuan, Killing At least 71

A view of a collapsed building with a sign reading, “Lushan Kindergarden” after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern China’s Sichuan province is seen in this April 20, 2013 still image taken from TV. The earthquake hit the province on Saturday, killing at least 28 people and injuring at least 100 close to where a big quake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008. REUTERS/China Central Television (CCTV) via REUTERS TV

China’s Sichuan province was hit by an earthquake on Saturday morning April 20, 2013.

The official Xinhua news agency reported that at least 71 people were killed while more than 2200 others were injured.

The earthquake occurred at 8.02 a.m. (0002 GMT) in Lushan county near Ya’an city and the epicenter had a depth of 12 km (7.5 miles), the U.S. Geological Survey said.

China’s seismological bureau measured the earthquake at magnitude-7 while the U.S. Geological Survey at 6.6.

It was reported that nearly all of the structures in Longmen village collapsed and that nearly 10,000 houses were damaged throughout the county.

Water and electricity were cut off in Lushan.

The shallow depth of the earthquake caused greater damages to the area.

Hard-hit parts of the county remained unreachable by road, with several highways cut off.

On May 12, 2008, a devastating 7.9-magnitude quake struck the nearby area leaving more than 90,000 people dead or missing and presumed dead.

Please click the photos for larger images:

Residents, pictured through a car window, drive past collapsed buildings near Lushan county, Ya’an, Sichuan province, April 20, 2013. A strong 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern China’s Sichuan province on Saturday, killing at least 56 people and injuring about 600 close to where a big quake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008. REUTERS/Stringer

REFILE – CORRECTING COUNTY Collapsed houses are seen after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake in Lushan county, Ya’an, Sichuan province April 20, 2013. The earthquake hit southwestern China’s Sichuan province on Saturday, killing at least 56 people and injuring about 600 close to where a big quake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008. REUTERS/Stringer

Rescuers try to remove rocks blocking a road after a strong earthquake of 6.6 magnitude hit Lushan county, Ya’an, Sichuan province April 20, 2013. The earthquake killed at least 56 people and injured about 600 close to where a big quake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008. REUTERS/Stringer

An aerial view shows houses damaged after a strong earthquake in Lushan county, Ya’an, Sichuan province, April 20, 2013. At least fifty-six people were killed and more than 500 others injured in the earthquake, according to Xinhua News Agency. REUTERS/China Daily

An aerial view shows houses damaged after a strong earthquake in Lushan county, Ya’an, Sichuan province, April 20, 2013. At least fifty-six people were killed and more than 500 others injured in the earthquake, according to Xinhua News Agency. REUTERS/China Daily

An aerial view shows houses damaged after a strong earthquake in Lushan county, Ya’an, Sichuan province, April 20, 2013. At least fifty-six people were killed and more than 500 others injured in the earthquake, according to Xinhua News Agency. REUTERS/China Daily

People walk on rubble after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern China’s Sichuan province in this April 20, 2013 still image taken from TV. The earthquake hit southwestern China’s Sichuan province on Saturday, killing at least 28 people and injuring at least 100 close to where a big quake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008. REUTERS/China Central Television (CCTV) via REUTERS TV

A view of a collapsed building with a sign reading, “Lushan Kindergarden” after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern China’s Sichuan province is seen in this April 20, 2013 still image taken from TV. The earthquake hit the province on Saturday, killing at least 28 people and injuring at least 100 close to where a big quake killed almost 70,000 people in 2008. REUTERS/China Central Television (CCTV) via REUTERS TV

In this photo provided by China’s official Xinhua News Agency, a giant rock blocks the road, about 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) from the county seat of Lushan in Ya’an city, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Saturday, April 20, 2013. A powerful earthquake jolted China’s Sichuan province Saturday near where a devastating quake struck five years ago. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Hai Mingwei)

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Photos And Videos: Deadly Texas Fertilizer Plant Explosion

In this Instagram photo provided by Andy Bartee, a plume of smoke rises from a fertilizer plant fire in West, Texas on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. An explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco Wednesday night injured dozens of people and sent flames shooting high into the night sky, leaving the factory a smoldering ruin and causing major damage to surrounding buildings. (AP Photo/Andy Bartee) MANDATORY CREDIT: ANDY BARTEE

A massive explosion hit the West Fertilizer Co. plant some 18 miles north of Waco, Texas on Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

CNN reported that:

“The Wednesday night blast shook houses 50 miles away and measured as a 2.1-magnitude seismic event, according to the United States Geological Survey”.

At least 160 people were injured in this massive blast.

So far they are not sure how many people were killed but at least up to 15 people were reportedly killed including two emergency medical personnel.

West Mayor Tommy Muska forewarned on Wednesday night:

“There are a lot of people that got hurt. There are a lot of people that will not be here tomorrow.”

This explosion is far more greater than the ones in Boston during the marathon on April 15, 2013. (Please click the here for the photos and videos of the Boston Marathon tragedy)

“It was like a nuclear bomb went off,” said West Mayor Tommy Muska.

It is said that 10 to 15 buildings have been totally demolished and probably 50 homes were heavily damaged.

People expect more to be found dead because this is a very big one and some people might still be trapped in collapsed buildings.

Yahoo News reported that, Texas Public Safety Department spokesman D.L. Wilson said about half the town, about eight to 10 blocks, had been evacuated and that “we might even have to evacuate on the other side of town” if winds shifted.

The cause of the explosion is not immediately known.

It is really sad and scary to see another huge explosion just two days after the ones in Boston.

Please click the photos for larger images:

Vehicles are seen near the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone

A Fertilizer Plant Just Exploded near Waco, Texas. Yahoo News

A column of smoke rises after an explosion at a fertilizer plant north of Waco, Texas April 17, 2013. REUTERS/Joe Berti/Twitter

A person looks on as emergency workers fight a house fire after a nearby fertilizer plant exploded Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in West, Texas. A massive explosion at the fertilizer plant near Waco on Wednesday night injured dozens of people and sent flames shooting into the night sky, leaving the factory a smoldering ruin following a blast that damaged buildings for blocks in every direction. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte)

In this Instagram photo provided by Andy Bartee, a plume of smoke rises from a fertilizer plant fire in West, Texas on Wednesday, April 17, 2013. An explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco Wednesday night injured dozens of people and sent flames shooting high into the night sky, leaving the factory a smoldering ruin and causing major damage to surrounding buildings. (AP Photo/Andy Bartee) MANDATORY CREDIT: ANDY BARTEE

An elderly person is assisted at a staging area at a local school stadium following an explosion at a fertilizer plant Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in West, Texas. An explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco caused numerous injuries and sent flames shooting high into the night sky on Wednesday. (AP Photo/ Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte)

Elderly persons from a nearby nursing home are triaged in a parking lot before being moved to a school stadium following a fertilizer plant explosion Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in West, Texas. The explosion near Waco Wednesday night injured dozens of people and sent flames shooting high into the night sky, leaving the factory a smoldering ruin and causing major damage to surrounding buildings. (AP Photo/Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte)

Persons are seen pushing wheel chairs in front of a damaged nursing home following an explosion at a nearby fertilizer plant Wednesday, April 17, 2013, in West, Texas. An explosion at a fertilizer plant near Waco caused numerous injuries and sent flames shooting high into the night sky on Wednesday.(AP Photo/ Waco Tribune Herald, Rod Aydelotte)

The remains of a fertilizer plant burn after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone

The remains of a fertilizer plant burn after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone

The remains of a fertilizer plant burn after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone

The remains of a fertilizer plant burn after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone

A chemical trailer sits among the remains of a fertilizer plant burning after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone

Smoke rises as water is sprayed at the burning remains of a fertilizer plant after an explosion at the plant in the town of West, near Waco, Texas early April 18, 2013. The deadly explosion ripped through the fertilizer plant late on Wednesday, injuring more than 100 people, leveling dozens of homes and damaging other buildings including a school and nursing home, authorities said. REUTERS/Mike Stone