WORLD NEWS

WASHINGTON: The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Center on Sunday lifted its tsunami warning for all Pacific nations after a 8.8-magnitude earthquake in Chile.

"The Pacific-wide tsunami warning issued by the pacific tsunami warning center is now canceled for all countries, " the center said in a statement.

Shortly after the Saturday megaquake in Chile, some countries, including the United States, issued tsunami warnings along the Pacific coast, as the massive earthquake caused tidal waves that could reach as far as Japan.

U.S. President Barack Obama said Saturday that the U.S. government was preparing for a tsunami that could reach American shores, particularly in Hawaii, American Samoa, and Guam.

"A tsunami warning is in place, and people have been alerted to evacuate coastal areas. I urge citizens to listen closely to the instructions of local officials," said Obama.

The Chilean earthquake on Saturday killed over 300 people and destroyed many buildings in major cities, including the capital of Santiago.