A very powerful earthquake hit Chile's northern coast on Wednesday night. The 8.3-magnitude quake was enough to issue a tsunami warning and caused buildings to sway in the capital city of Santiago and other cities, sending people into panic, as reported by FOX News.

Government officials ordered people to evacuate the low-lying areas along the 2,400 miles of the country's Pacific coast and cars quickly evacuated people inland to higher ground. At least three strong aftershocks were also recorded as tsunami alarms sounded in Valparaiso port.

There were no immediate reports of injuries and casualties, but authorities of the city of Illapel, which is near the epicenter, 175 north of Santiago, reported some houses made of adobe collapsed. Illapel Mayor Denis Cortes also added that at least one died and 15 others are injured, according to Reuters. He also spoke at a local television and said, "We are very scared. Our city panicked."

Peru was also warned of a possible tsunami and the earthquake was felt all the way to the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. Even Hawaii was issued a tsunami watch, which could happen around 3:00 in the morning as reported by Reuters. The U.S. Geological Survey initially reported the quake has a 7.9 magnitude but quickly changed it to 8.3.

An 8.8-magnitude earthquake also hit central Chile in 2010, which killed more than 500 people. About 220,000 homes were destroyed as well as seaside resorts, riverfronts, and docks. The earthquake was so powerful that it changed the Earth's rotation, shortening the planet's day.

Chile is one most earthquake-prone country in the world as it is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The country has the Nazca tectonic plate and the South American plate. The strongest earthquake ever recorded in history happened in Chile in 1960. The 9.5-magnitude quake killed more than 5,000 people.