An earthquake hit central Chile early Saturday measuring 8.8 on Richter Scale and lasted for about one and a half minute and set off a tsunami. Damage could be seen all around but exact extent of damage is still not sure as buildings fell and electricity and phone lines went down. As of now there is report of at least 6 people having been killed said Chile President Michele Bachelet. 

Speaking from an emergency response center, the President said, "We have had a huge earthquake. We're doing everything we can with all the forces we have. Any information we will share immediately."

The President also asked people to not travel in dark as traffic lights are down.

The massive earthquake hit at 3:34 a.m. (0634 GMT; 1:34 a.m. EST). It was centered 200 miles southwest of the capital, Santiago, at a depth of 22 miles.

TV Chile reported that among the buildings that collapsed , was a Church in central city of Providencia. There was chaos as people were running from high rise buildings and glass shattering from the buildings.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said,  "Sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated. It may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter and could also be a threat to more distant coasts." So a warning was issued for Chile and Peru and not so urgent watch for Ecuador, Columbia, Costa Rica, Panama and Antarctica. There was a warning for Hawaii as a tsunami could hit there later in the day.

Chile have had a huge quake hit it on May 22, 1960 of  magnitude-9.5. 1,655 people were killed and 2 million lost their homes. The resultant tsunami had killed many people in Japan, Hawaii and Philippines. There was some damage to US West Coast also.

However this time the U.S. west coast tsunami warning center has said that they do not think a tsunami will reach west of US or Canada but still they are keeping a close watch as the situation develops in Chile earthquake 2010.But mostly by the earthquake Chile has been affected. Naturally memories of recent Haiti earthquake have been reawakened by the new Chile quake. We will keep you posted on the relief and rescue efforts in quake affected Chile.