By s3nouc1 
On Friday, May 2, 2025, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Drake Passage, approximately 219 kilometers south of Ushuaia, Argentina. The quake occurred at 9:58 AM local time and was felt across southern Argentina and Chile, causing widespread concern.
Tsunami Warnings and Evacuations
Chilean authorities issued a tsunami warning and ordered evacuations along the Magallanes region’s coastline as a precautionary measure. In Argentina, residents of Puerto Almanza, located on the Beagle Channel, were evacuated to safer areas. All nautical activities in the Beagle Channel were suspended for at least three hours. Newsweek+2Macau Business+2The Times of India+2NonStop Local Tri-Cities/Yakima+1AP News+1
Aftershocks
Several aftershocks followed the main quake, including a 6.4 magnitude tremor five hours later. Fortunately, no significant injuries or damages were reported.Wikipedia
Local Accounts
Sofia Ramonet, a resident of Ushuaia, recounted feeling the tremors while asleep. She noticed her bed shaking and saw her hanging lamp swaying noticeably. Looking outside, she observed many people leaving their homes, visibly anxious and unsure of the situation.
Emphasizing Disaster Preparedness
This event underscores the importance of disaster preparedness, especially in seismically active regions. Authorities and communities should reinforce emergency plans, conduct regular drills, and update infrastructure to ensure public safety in future incidents.