An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck off the coast of central Chile yesterday evening, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, was 38 kilometres west of the coastal city of Valparaiso, the USGS said.

The Chilean emergency authority ONEMI measured the quake at magnitude 6.7.

The US Tsunami Warning Centre said the earthquake did not create the risk of a tsunami along Chile''s coast.There were no immediate reports of damage.

- dpa