Peru evacuates coastal region of Ica after 8.0 quake -radio

 Authorities in Peru started evacuating communities in the southern coastal region of Ica on Tuesday after an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck off neighboring northern Chile, RPP radio reported.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was shallow at 12.5 miles (20.1 km) below the seabed and struck about 100 km northwest of the mining port of Iquique near the Peruvian border. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake generated a large tsunami with the biggest wave reported at 2.3 meters. The Chilean navy said the first big wave hit the coast within 45 minutes.

Chile's Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said a tsunami alert for the country's coastline will remain in place for at least another six hours following a major earthquake.