Having witnesses a seismic event measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale on Christmas Day, tourism authorities in Chile have been quick to state tourism in the destination is unaffected.

With an epicentre at Quellón, to the south of Chiloé Island, the affected area is more than a thousand kilometres from the nation’s capital of Santiago.

As a standard preventive measure in the wake of an event of this magnitude, the authorities ordered an evacuation of the region’s coastal areas due the potential risk of a tsunami.

However, this warning was rescinded at 19:00 on December 25th, with the entire country returning to normal.

Citizens and tourism services located on Chile’s coasts are fully prepared for this type of situation, with a rapid response to the tsunami warning.

From Chile’s far northern destinations in Arica & Parinacota Region through to its southernmost reaches, the country’s tourist sites were not affected.

“Conditions are entirely as normal in areas such as San Pedro de Atacama and its surroundings.

“In central regions, popular destinations such as Santiago and its surroundings, Valparaíso, and areas known for their vineyard tours are fully operational and were not affected in any way.

“In Southern Chile, areas such as the O’Higgins, Maule, Biobío, Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos Regions (including the Chilean Lake District), and Chilean Patagonia – home to the Torres del Paine National Park – are fully operational and working as normal,” read a statement form Tourismo Chile.

Airports throughout Chile are operating as normal, including the country’s international hub in Santiago, Arturo Merino Benítez Airport.