PHOTOS: 5 killed as 8.2 quake jolts Chile, triggers tsunami

A powerful earthquake of 8.2 magnitude has struck off northern Chile, triggering a tsunami alert, according to the United States Geological Survey. Waves of up to six feet have hit some areas in Chile.

At least five people have been killed said Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo.

The quake caused landslides and power cuts and fires were also reported from a few areas.

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Chile's National Emergency Office tweeted on Tuesday night that it was asking everyone to evacuate the South American nation's coast.

About 300 prisoners escaped from northern port city of Iquique in the immediate aftermath, he said.

Chilean TV broadcast pictures of traffic jams as people tried to evacuate, reports BBC.

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The quake shook modern buildings in Peru and in Bolivia's high altitude capital of La Paz - more than 470km from Iquique.

At least eight strong aftershocks followed in the few hours after the quake, including a 6.2 tremor. Seismologists have warned that more aftershocks and an even bigger quake cannot be discounted.

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Chile is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. 

In February 2010, central and southern Chile were hit by a powerful earthquake of 8.8-magnitude followed by a tsunami leaving more than 500 dead.