Series of quakes rock Chile

SANTIAGO, Chile, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- A series of earthquakes rocked northern Chile Wednesday, reducing buildings to rubble and sending frightened residents hurrying into the streets.

The first of the tremors hit at 12:40 p.m., 783 miles north of Santiago and measured 7.7 on the open-ended Richter scale. It was followed by quakes measuring 5, 5.7, 4.9 and 4.7 within a two-hour period, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

CNN reported government officials said there were no initial reports of casualties.

The first quake was centered at the port city of Antofagasta and was about 40 miles beneath the Earth's surface. The quake triggered a tsunami warning as far north as Alaska.

CNN reported local television showed cars crushed by a collapsed building.