国际英语新闻:6.7-magnitude quake kills 2 in N. Chile

SANTIAGO, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least two people are dead in the wake of a 6.7-magnitude earthquake that rocked northern Chile's Coquimbo region late Saturday, the national emergency bureau ONEMI reported on Sunday.

The two victims, a 74-year-old woman and a 64-year-old man, died after suffering heart attack.

The quake struck at 10:32 p.m. local time (0132 GMT Sunday), with the epicenter located 13 km east of Tongoy and 428 km north of the nation's capital Santiago, at a depth of 50.1 km, according to the National Seismological Center of the University of Chile.

At least 30 homes sustained some damage, while another three were affected when a canal in Coquimbo's capital La Serena overflowed due to the seismic waves.

La Serena Mayor Roberto Jacob said the damage was limited considering the age and material of many of the constructions.

"The city has persevered quite well given how old it is and seeing that the constructions are made of adobe. In addition, the evacuation was exemplary," Jacob told reporters.

However, the town cathedral did not escape serious damage and is in danger of seeing falling debris, he said.

Officials said 11,267 area residents remain without power.

More than 50 aftershocks have been registered.

Located along the so-called "Pacific Ring of Fire," Chile is highly prone to seismic activity.