6.9 quake hits off country’s coastline

A powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off central Chile’s coast Monday evening, but there were no reports of injuries or damage and authorities ruled out the possibility of a tsunami.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered in the Pacific about 22 miles west of the port city of Valparaiso. Buildings swayed in Santiago, the capital 70 miles to the east.

Chile’s emergency services office said no damage to infrastructure was reported from the quake.