Chile struck by 7.1 magnitutde earthquake

A major earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the richter scale, hit central Chile on Sunday, rattling buildings and temporarily triggering a coastal evacuation on fears of a tsunami, Reuters reported.

Residents in Santiago, fled their homes as the tremor caused massive shaking. The mayor in the town of Parral in south-central Chile told local radio a 74-year-old woman died of a heart attack due to the quake.

CNN also reported three people were injured, citing emergency officials. One in a traffic accident in the Biobio region, the two others from a collapsed ceiling.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was at a depth of 21.6 miles (34.8 km) and struck 16 miles (27 km) north-northwest of Talca. It had originally reported the quake was offshore and had a magnitude of 7.2.

Talca was devastated in 2010 by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake, according to CNN.

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The quake occured just a day after a different quake had occurred in metropolitan Santiago, according to The Associated Press. The 5.1-magnitude temblor shook residents in the capital but damage and injury were not reported.