One million people have been evacuated from Chile’s Pacific coastline after a powerful earthquake struck off the coast.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said a 8.3-magnitude quake struck 46km (29 miles) off the coast of Illapel at 19:54 local time (22:54 GMT). The tremor was measured to be at a depth of 25km.

Tsunami warnings were immediately issued across the Pacific, and within minutes waves of up to 4.5m hit the Chilean shore, carrying the full force of the ocean behind them.

Two people died of falling masonry, and three more form heart attacks, due to the quake, officials say.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been left without access to power and many fled the area to higher ground without drinking water.

The tremors could be felt across the other side of the South American continent, in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.