A powerful earthquake has hit central Chile, causing buildings to sway in the capital Santiago, officials says Five people are now known to have died, and one million residents have been evacuated from coastal areas. There were reports of panic in some cities.

chilean President Michelle Bachelet confirmed that two women were killed after rubble fell down on them and a man died of a heart attack.Ms Bachelet said she would travel to the affected areas later on Thursday.The authorities later raised the confirmed death toll to five, saying that one person was missing.

Some homes were reportedly damaged in the city of Illapel.The earthquake struck as thousands of Chileans were travelling to the coast ahead of a week of celebrations of the national holidays, or Fiestas Patrias.

Tsunami alerts were also issued for Peru, Hawaii, parts of California and as far away as New Zealand.New Zealand authorities warned of unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows, reported local media. At least one school has evacuated.