Chile Quake: Residents Told To 'Run Away'

Authorities ordered residents in Santiago to "run away" from the coast and seek safety on high ground in the wake of an 8.3-magnitude earthquake near the Chilean capital.

Speaking to Sky News, journalist Mario Faray described the situation in the city as "total chaos" after a series of tsunami alerts were issued for coastal regions.

He said confusion on the streets was exacerbated by poor telecommunications, adding that the main advice from authorities was to "run".

"They are saying all you have to do is run away from the coast," he said.

"It's the only way to keep them alive.

"The situation here is total chaos.

"The people are running away from the coast to the mountains, because we are expecting a tsunami."

Five people have been confirmed dead following the earthquake , which triggered tsunami alerts in Chile, Peru, Ecuador and Hawaii.

The earthquake hit 141 miles northwest of Santiago and was followed by several aftershocks.

It was the first major earthquake to strike Chile since hundreds died following an 8.8-magnitude quake in 2010.