Pinera becomes Chile’s president amid strong aftershocks that send citizens fleeing for hills

Pinera assumes Chile presidency amid strong quakes

SANTIAGO, Chile — Chilean President Sebastian Pinera is urging citizens along the coast to move quickly to higher ground following five strongly felt aftershocks, including the biggest since last month’s 8.8-magnitude temblor.

Chile’s congress also was evacuated as a precautionary measure moments after Pinera was sworn in Thursday.

Aftershocks with preliminary magnitudes of 5.1, 7.2, 6.9 and 6.0, respectively, rocked Chile throughout the inauguration.

Pinera kept his cool but said Chileans shouldn’t ignore the possibility of dangerous waves. The Chilean Navy issued a tsunami warning, but the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the aftershocks were too small to cause dangerous waves.

The 7.2 aftershock is the strongest yet. It was larger than Haiti’s devastating magnitude-7 quake last month.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Chilean President Sebastian Pinera is urging citizens along the coast to move quickly to higher ground following five strongly felt aftershocks, including the biggest since last month’s 8.8-magnitude temblor.

Pinera Chile’s congress also was evacuated moments after Pinera was sworn in Thursday as a precautionary measure.

Aftershocks with preliminary magnitudes of 5.1, 7.2, 6.9 and 6.0, respectively, rocked Chile throughout the inauguration.

Pinera kept his cool but said Chileans shouldn’t ignore the possibility of dangerous waves. The Chilean Navy issued a tsunami warning, but the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the aftershocks were too small to cause dangerous waves.

The 7.2 aftershock is the strongest yet. It was larger than Haiti’s devastating magnitude-7 quake last month.