The Chilean media reported that at least 47 people died in earthquake and president Michelle Bachelet declared a “state of catastrophe” in the country.

The 8.8-magnitude quake, the country’s largest in 25 years, shook the capital Santiago for a minute and half at 3:34am (0634 GMT) today.

A tsunami warning has been extended across the Pacific rim, including most of Central and South America and as far as Australia and Antarctica.

A large earthquake has taken place off the coast of Chile. The quake occurred at 03:34 am local time (06:34 GMT) today. The USGS initially reported a magnitude of 8.3, but that has just been upgraded to 8.8. The earthquake was located off Maule, 325 km SW of the capital Santiago and 115 km NNE of the city of Concepción, with a reported depth of 35 km. The NOAA Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (home page) reports that a tsunami warning has been issued for Chile and Peru, and a tsunami watch has been issued for Ecuador, Colombia, Antarctica, Panama and Costa Rica. The BBC reports that the Japan Meteorological Agency ‘has warned of a potential tsunami across the Pacific’ (NOAA tsunami travel time map).

Chile’s steady economic growth has transformed Santiago into one of Latin America’s most modern metropolitan areas, with extensive suburban development, dozens of shopping malls, and impressive high-rise architecture. It is an Alpha World City and has some of Latin America’s most modern transportation infrastructure, such as the growing Santiago Metro (underground train system) and the new Costanera Norte, a toll

The country’s president is asking for calm after declaring a “state of catastrophe” in central Chile following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake.

At least 16 people are dead and that’s expected to go up after the quake collapsed buildings in the capital, Santiago and the city shook for 90 seconds.

Phone and electricity service are cut, making the extent of the damage difficult to determine, though quakes of that size have devastating potential.

CNN reported that Chile was struck by a magnitude 8.8 earthquake that left 6 people dead.

“His residence sustained some damage, but otherwise no one was hurt among them. Electricity is down in his district of the capital city of Santiago,” said Malaya.

The quake’s epicenter was located near the city of Concepcion, 212 miles (341 kilometers) from the capital of Santiago. The quake struck at 3:34 a.m. (1:34 a.m. ET).