DHAKA: An earthquake of 8.2 magnitude struck off northern Chile, Wednesday, the US Geological Survey says--killing five, injuring three, and triggering a tsunami alert for Latin America`s Pacific coastline.

The mayor of Tarapaca in northern Chile attributed the deaths to cardiac arrest.

It said the quake was very shallow, only 10km below the seabed, striking 86km north-west of the mining area of Iquique.

There were reports of 6 feet waves striking some of the Chilean coastline.

A tsunami warning was in effect for Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Panama. A tsunami watch was issued for Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Honduras, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

The USGS reported the quake, which hit at 6:46 pm local time, was centered some 60 miles northwest of Iquique at a depth of 12.5 miles.

Chilean authorities ordered the speedy evacuation of coastal areas.

There were reports of landslides hitting highways and Chilean TV broadcast pictures of traffic jams as people evacuate coastal areas.

The Chilean interior ministry told that one of the main roads outside Iquique was cut off because of hillside debris on the road.

The ministry said that partial landslides took place between the towns of Putre and General Lagos.

Sources: BBC, CNN, NBC

BDST: 0802 HRS APR 2, 2014, / last updated 1035