Chile declared a state of emergency in the central region Thursday after a magnitude-8.3 earthquake killed 11 people and caused widespread disruption.
President Michelle Bachelet declared the state of emergency for the region around the port city of Coquimbo, near the epicentre of the quake which struck late Wednesday, daily El Mercurio reported, citing Interior Minister Jorge Burgos.
Hundreds of soldiers would be sent to the affected region.
Parts of the country began to return to normal after a night of strong aftershocks and a small tsunami that flooded some coastal homes and businesses.
About 1 million people were evacuated from their homes in fear of a tsunami, as tsunami warnings were issued for areas all along the Pacific coast.
Small tsunami waves reached the Japanese coast early Friday morning local time.
Waves of between 10 and 40 centimetres were observed on the east coast, Japan's meteorological agency said.
"The tsunami threat has now largely passed," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported in what it said would be its final threat message.
Ricardo Toro, director of Chile's ONEMI organization for disaster management, said 11 people were confirmed dead in the quake, which struck Wednesday near the coastal town of Illapel at 22:54 GMT.
Burgos said earlier that some of the victims were crushed by collapsing walls and others died of heart attacks.
More than 600 people were still lodged in hotels Thursday and 180 buildings were destroyed by the earthquake, the organization for disaster management said.
The quake disrupted transport and communications and produced waves as high as 5 metres that flooded past containment barriers to reach some homes and businesses, even pushing boats on to city streets.
Bachelet travelled to Coquimbo, 460 kilometers north of Santiago, surveying damage in the region most affected by the quake and tsunami.
There, she praised a rapid response by emergency services, and promised agencies would work quickly to help those affected by the earthquake and its aftermath.
"We know the pain it causes, and often the anger as well, and so for that we are working as quickly as possible," she said.
Bachelet canceled all public appearances Thursday, including the launch of the country's Independence Day celebrations.
More than 100 aftershocks - the strongest a magnitude 7.6 - added to the fears among evacuees.
Roads were cut off by mudslides. An estimated 100,000 families were without electricity, according to the government, and many buildings collapsed.
"There are many collapsed walls - many houses, mainly those made of adobe, whose walls were brought to the ground," Bernardo Leyton, mayor of Canela near the epicentre, told the radio station Bio Bio.
"People are very scared," Leyton said.
The mayor of Illapel, the town closest to the epicentre, said a woman died there after being hit by a collapsing wall, according to La Tercera newspaper.
Deputy Interior Minister Mahmud Aleuy reported that another woman died in an avalanche while three men died of heart attacks. It was unclear how the other victims died.
The quake was the sixth largest in the country's history, Aleuy said.
The US Geological Survey measured the quake's magnitude at 8.3 while the Chilean National Quake Centre said it was 8.4.
The quake was felt as far away as Buenos Aires, a distance of more than 1,200 kilometres. Several buildings in the Argentinian capital were preventively evacuated.
Schools were closed Thursday in much of Chile.
Chile is a quake-prone country. On February 27, 2010, a magnitude-8.8 quake and resulting tsunami killed more than 500 people and caused major damage across the country.
A magnitude-7.8 quake claimed the lives of 28,000 people in 1939. The largest earthquake ever measured - 9.5 on the Richter scale - also occurred in Chile, killing 1,655 people in 1960.
Bernama
Fri Sep 18 2015
People recover their belongings in Concon, Chile, some 110 kilometers northwest of Santiago, on September 17, 2015 after a massive earthquake hit the area on September 16. - AFP pic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.