Officials say the quake's epicenter was located more than 1,500 kilometers north of Santiago, the capital. They say the quake also was felt in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.

The government has sent aid including food and medicines to those who have been displaced. More than 50 people were injured in the quake.

Interior Minister Jorge Correa told reporters late Monday that power and communications were interrupted in many areas, especially remote mountain villages near where the quake was centered.

Chilean President Ricardo Lagos cut short a European trip to return to Chile to assess the damage.