Huge quake strikes Chile

A MAJOR earthquake struck northern Chile last night, toppling power lines, closing roads and sending terrified residents into the streets.

Authorities reported some injuries but no deaths from the quake, which was felt in the capital as well as neighbouring Peru and Bolivia.

The earthquake, which struck at 12.40pm local time, measured magnitude 7.7 and was centred 1,225km north of Santiago, or 40km east-southeast of Tocopilla, the US Geological Survey said.