SANTIAGO, CHILE (BNO NEWS) — A series of strong aftershocks rocked central Chile within a timespan of just one hour on Thursday, seismologists said. A major disaster has been declared, but there was no immediate word on casualties.

All the earthquakes struck near the city of Rancagua in the country’s O’Higgins region. The first earthquake had a 6.9-magnitude and was centered about 21 miles deep, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Chilean officials said the quake had a far more powerful magnitude, a 7.2.

As residents were evacuating coastlines out of fear for a tsunami, a second aftershock with a 6.7-magnitude struck about 60 miles west of Rancagua at a depth of 21 miles. That earthquake struck at 11.55 a.m. local time, some 16 minutes after the first earthquake.

A third aftershock struck moments later, at 12.06 p.m. local time. The earthquake had a 6.0-magnitude and was centered about 65 miles west of Santiago, at a depth of 19 miles.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no widespread tsunami threat from the earthquakes. It initially warned for the possibility of local tsunamis, but later said there was no longer a threat. “We have not seen any tsunami wave activity,” said Delores Clark, a spokeswoman for the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Chilean emergency officials did issue a tsunami warning immediately after the earthquake, which remains in effect. Clark said tsunami waves would have arrived within two hours after the earthquake, and said there was no threat.

Hours after the earthquakes, the extend of the damage was still uncertain. President Pinera, who was being sworn in at the time of the first aftershock, said there were reports of significant damage in Rancagua. He did not say if there were casualties.

Pinera also ordered the military to respond to the region and declared a “state of catastrophe.”

The aftershocks happened nearly two weeks after a massive 8.8-magnitude quake struck the same area, which was one of the largest earthquakes in recorded history.