A major earthquake of magnitude 8.2 struck off the coast of northern Chile on Tuesday, causing at least six deaths and triggering a tsunami that pounded the shore with two-meter-tall waves.

Officials said the dead included people who were crushed by collapsing walls or were killed by heart attacks.

The government evacuated Chile's north coast and President Michelle Bachelet declared the area a disaster zone, pledging troops and police reinforcements to maintain public order while damage was repaired after landslides blocked roads.

"We're leaving with the children and what we can, but everything is clogged up by people fleeing buildings by the beach," said 32-year old Liliana Arriaza, who was driving away.

The US Geological Survey said the quake was shallow at 20.1 kilometers below the seabed and struck about 100 kilometers northwest of the mining port of Iquique near the Peruvian border.

Mining in the world's No. 1 copper producer did not appear interrupted, but about 300 prisoners took advantage of the emergency and escaped from a female penitentiary in Iquique.

About 26 of the women were recaptured, authorities said, while security forces fanned out through the area amid reports of power outages and isolated looting.

Photos showed Chileans calmly evacuating coastal areas on foot, with policemen helping bundled-up elderly people and some residents loading up vehicles with their belongings.

Some schools were being used to shelter people, and classes were canceled in most of the country on Wednesday. LATAM Airlines said it had canceled some flights to and from Antofagasta, Iquique and Arica in northern Chile.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the quake generated a large tsunami with the biggest wave reported at about 2 meters.

The Chilean navy said the first big wave hit the coast within 45 minutes. Early on Wednesday Chilean authorities canceled their tsunami warning for most coastal areas.

Seismic Chile has strict tremor-proof construction regulations and most residents stay calm during quakes, which helps to limit harm.

President Bachelet, who only returned to power last month, was due to travel to the north on Wednesday morning.   

In 2010 at the end of Bachelet's first term, an 8.8-magnitude quake triggered a tsunami that devastated coastal towns, a disaster that killed 526 people.

A tsunami warning was issued for the Pacific coast of Mexico through Central and South America. A tsunami advisory was issued for Hawaii, although no disaster was expected to hit the island state.

Source: Reuters