Santiago: A major 7.7-magnitude earthquake rocked arid northern Chile, killing at least two people, injuring dozens others and leaving thousands homeless.

Authorities said two women, one aged 88 and the other 54,died when they were crushed under collapsing walls in the port city of Tocopilla, 1,600 kilometers north of Santiago.

"It is a major quake," National Emergency Office director Carmen Fernandez said of the temblor that struck at 12:43 pm lacal time.

Local authorities said at least 45 people were injured, but media reports put the figure at about 100.

Tocopilla Mayor Luis Moncayo said at least 4,000 people were made homeless by the temblor after it "completely demolished" 1,200 houses. He said the local hospital was damaged and patients, including people injured in the quake, were being treated at an improvised facility.

In nearby Maria Elena, Mayor Jorge Godoy told AFP the quake destroyed 20 per cent of the buildings and damaged another 50 per cent in his town of 7,000,adding: "It's a miracle there are no victims."

The epicenter of the quake was located 1,260 kilometers north of the Chilean capital Santiago. It was felt as far away as Bolivia's capital, La Paz, high in the Andes to the northeast.

Images from Chile's TVN television showed cars crushed by debris, and frightened people running onto the streets as the quake struck.

Damage was also reported in the northern cities of Calama and Arica which lost electrical power. Copper mines in the area were also shut down for a few hours from lack of power.
Source : PTI