Update: Hawaii, Australia, Japan, Philippines Issue Tsunami Alert After Chile Quake

Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) – Emergency agencies across the Pacific Ocean have issued tsunami warnings after a massive earthquake in Chile.

U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued its highest alert for parts of Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and other Pacific islands. According to NOAA, the first tsunami waves could start hitting Hawaii at 11:19 a.m. local time (4:19 p.m. EST).

Violent waves could hit “all islands in the state of Hawaii,” according to NOAA. “Urgent action should be taken to protect lives and property.”

The Philippines’ earthquake agency on Saturday told communities in the eastern coast of the archipelago to prepare for evacuation due to a possible tsunami triggered by a powerful earthquake in Chile.

Australia’s and Japan’s weather bureaus also issued a tsunami warning for on Saturday even as the same warning remains in effect in Hawaii.

The Weather Bureau’s tsunami warning was for Queensland and parts of New South Wales. The area covered is from Sydney to Brisbane. The bureau forecasts the first tsunami waves to arrive at 8:45 a.m. local time.

AHN’s Windsor Genova contributed to this report.

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