A strong earthquake hit the devastated Chilean region of Bio Bio at midday on Tuesday, causing panic among local residents but leaving no material damages nor casualties yet.

The quake was recorded at 12:05 p.m. local time and had a magnitude of 5.7 on the Richter scale, according to data from the Seismological Service of the University of Chile.

The epicenter was located 31.9 kilometers under ground, and 11 kilometers northeast from the city Arauco, in central region of Bio Bio, one of the most affected areas during the 8.8-magnitude major earthquake occurred on February 27.

The National Emergency Office (Onemi) of Chile issued a tsunami alert right after the telluric movement yet so far no casualties or damages to basic services or infrastructures were reported.