Chile's President Michelle Bachelet confirmed that three people were killed in the massive earthquake, which struck off country's central coast on Wednesday. "Once again, we're having to deal with another harsh blow from nature. Unfortunately, we've received information that as of now we are certain three people are confirmed dead," the Chilean president said in a statement, according to Reuters.
Bachelet said the three victims included two women and a man, reported 9News. A 35-year-old woman was killed by a falling roof, a 20 year-old woman was killed by falling rocks and an 80-year-old man died from a heart attack. All three deaths were reported in country's coastal regions.
An 8.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the central Chilean coast on Wednesday, HNGN reportedly previously. The powerful quake triggered a tsunami alert for a number of Pacific nations, including Hawaii and parts of California.
Thousands of terrified residents in the Chilean capital Santiago rushed out on to the street following the quake. Authorities have ordered evacuation of coastal areas as a precautionary measure.
"We know there could be more aftershocks and so we must continue to evaluate the situation minute-by-minute," Bachelet said, according to AFP. She also announced that she would visit the regions hit the hardest.
