Strong aftershocks rocked central Chile on Thursday, just as the country's new president was being sworn into office.

 

Sebastian Pinera was inaugurated at a congressional building in coastal city of Valparaiso before the building was evacuated as a precaution. He immediately urged coastal residents to move to higher ground in case of a tsunami.

The strongest aftershock had a magnitude of 6.9. The aftershocks swayed buildings and sent frightened Chileans streaming into streets.

Plumes of dust rose near buildings damaged in the devastating earthquake which struck Chile 12 days ago.

The navy issued a tsunami alert and ordered people away from beaches. New aftershocks also sent residents in the cities of Talca and Concepcion scurrying away from buildings.

Valparaiso Resident, said, "It's just a scare, that's all. I was outside. It was really scary. Because of what happened down south. You have to have a lot of respect and fear of the sea."

Rancagua Resident, said, "We have been left without work, run into the ground. It will be 14 or 15 years of work. After thirty years the people here have nothing. But that is the work of nature. We don't even have one peso."