Chile Rattled by Magnitude 8.2 Earthquake, Inmates Escape Prison Amid Disaster

A massive 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck off the north coast of Chile late Tuesday, spawning a tsunami that pounded the shores with 2-meter (7-foot) waves.

Six people have been reported dead, but damage to homes, businesses and other infrastructure seemed limited, according to news reports.

Ahead of the tsunami, more than 900,000 people were evacuated along Chile's low-lying areas, but by Wednesday morning they were allowed to return home, according to Reuters.

Tsunami warnings have now been lifted, according to Voice of America, which added that no damage has been reported from the tsunami.

Chile's president, Michelle Bachelet, declared parts of the country's north a disaster zone. Landslides blocked passage on some roads and there have been widespread power outages in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Military and police presence was increased in the areas the quake affected most.

"Appropriate measures have been taken to protect [citizens'] lives and their belongings. And the government will continue to work all the time that is necessary to confront this emergency and protect our citizens," Bachelet said, according to Voice of America.

The quake's epicenter, which struck at a depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles), was at sea off Chile's northeast coast about 95 km (59 miles) from Iquique.

About 300 inmates escaped from a women's prison in Iquique. Police are trying to round up the escapees and prevent looting. 

According to the US Geological Survey, the region where Tuesday's quake struck has a long history of what it called "seismic quiescence." Two massive earthquakes, both magnitude 8.8, hit the region in 1868 and 1877.

The region has been rattled by a number of strong earthquakes that led up to Tuesday's event.

"This massive earthquake occurred after numerous very strong earthquakes over the last couple of weeks. A M6.7 in the same area was the start of all these events and the precursor activity," EarthquakeReport.com, an independent earthquake news site, reported.

Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. In 2010 a magnitude 8.8 temblor rocked central Chile, killing more than 500 people and destroying 220,000 homes.