Harper unhurt in Chile quake

A strong earthquake struck this city early this morning while Prime Minister Stephen Harper was visiting.

The quake left highrise buildings in the Chilean capital swaying.

The quake, which the U.S. Geological Survey initially measured at a magnitude of 6.6, struck 48 kilometres north-northeast of the main port of Valparaiso, and 116 kilometres northwest of the capital Santiago at a depth of 25.9 kilometres.

“The prime minister and his wife were at the hotel when the earthquake happened,” said Andrew Macdougall, Harper’s director of communications.

“All members of the Canadian delegation, including the prime minister and his wife, Laureen, are just fine.”

The earthquake struck at about 12:50 a.m.

The tremors in Santiago lasted about 30 seconds.

A contingent of Canadian media travelling with the prime minister were staying at a separate hotel.

Most reporters had just returned to their hotel rooms after a lengthy day of covering the prime minister’s visit to the city.

Suddenly, the hotel shook violently and there was a loud rumble. Then, the building swayed back and forth.

There was no initial word on the extent of damage in the city.