An earthquake of 6.4 on the richter scake struck Chile

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Chile's emergency office Onemi have called the earthquake a "major" seismic event.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the epicentre of the quake was about 45 miles northeast of Talca and southeast of the capital, at a depth of about 56 miles.

There have been reports that telephone lines are not working following the earthquake in Santiago, Chile, but no injuries or deaths have been reported.

The navy have said the earthquake is unlikely to generate a tsunami off the coastline.

A witness in Santiago said: "It started slowly but became stronger, then decreased in intensity again. It was fairly long."