Shocks from the quake were felt as far afield as Bolivia's capital La Paz, about 290 miles away, and also in Peru.
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Firefighters try to extinguish a fire on a restaurant by the sea shore on Chile's Pacific coast
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Five people have been killed, several people had been seriously injured, and tens of thousands had evacuated
At least 10 strong aftershocks followed in the first few hours, including a 6.2 tremor, AP reported. Further shocks, and even a further quake are not being ruled out by Chilean seismologist.
Roads were jam-packed as coastal residents fled inland when 6.5 feet waves hit seaside towns like Boca del Rio.
Iquique Governor Gonzalo Prieto said at least five people had been killed, several people had been seriously injured, and tens of thousands had evacuated, according to the BBC.
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People flee the 'Costa Verde' bay after a tsunami alert in Lima, after the Chile earthquake struck
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People survey the 'Costa Verde' bay from atop a hill following a tsunami alert in Lima
Chilean Interior Minister Rodrigo Penailillo said President Michelle Bachelet was travelling to the area.
"We have taken action to ensure public order in the case of Iquique, where we've had a massive escape of more than 300 female prisoners, so that the armed forces and police can coordinate and provide security to the residents," he said.
Chile is one of the world's most earthquake-prone countries, as the Nazca tectonic plate rests underneath the South American plate.
In 2010, a magnitude-8.8 quake and tsunami in central Chile killed more than 500 people and destroyed 220,000 homes. That quake was so powerful, it changed Earth's rotation by a fraction of a second, shortening the Earth's day.
Chile Earthquake
(01 of13)
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View of a fire in the city of Iquique, Chile, 01 April 2014, after a 8.2 Richter scale earthquake hit in the Pacific Ocean, triggering a Tsunami, in the North of Chile. At least two people are reported dead and three injured according to governor of Iquique Gonzalo Prieto. EPA/ALEX VALDES
(02 of13)
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A handout smartphone picture provided by Javiera Mora Araya shows the evacuation of people in a street due to a Tsunami alert after an 8.2 Richter scale earthquake, in Antofagasta, Chile, 01 April 2014. Chilean authorities said they were evacuating all coastal areas, but reported no casualties or significant damage.
(03 of13)
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People embrace on the upper floor of an apartment building located a few blocks from the coast where they gathered to avoid a possible tsunami after an earthquake in Iquique, Chile, Tuesday, April 1, 2014. A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile's northern coast Tuesday night. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage, but buildings shook in nearby Peru and in Bolivia's high altitude capital of La Paz. (AP Photo/Cristian Viveros) NO PUBLICAR EN CHILE
(04 of13)
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A view of the city of Iquique, Chile, after an earthquake struck late Tuesday, April 1, 2014. A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile's northern coast Tuesday night. Buildings also shook in nearby Peru and in Bolivia's high altitude capital of La Paz. (AP Photo/Cristian Viveros) NO PUBLICAR EN CHILE
(05 of13)
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Firefighters try to extinguish a fire on a restaurant by the sea shore after a powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit off Chile's Pacific coast, on April 1, 2014 in Iquique. A tsunami warning has been issued for Chile, Peru and Ecuador, US officials said. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), 83 kilometers from Iquique on Chile's northern coast, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. AFP PHOTO / ALDO SOLIMANO
(06 of13)
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A group of people prepares for a possible evacuation to higher zones of the city of Iquiqu after a Tsunami alert following a 8.2 Richter scale earthquake in the Pacific Ocean off Iquique, northern Chile, 01 April 2014.
(07 of13)
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People survey the 'Costa Verde' bay from atop a hill following a tsunami alert in Lima on April 1, 2014. A tsunami warning has been issued for Chile, Peru and Ecuador, US officials said. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), 83 kilometers from Iquique on Chile's northern coast, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. AFP PHOTO/ERNESTO BENAVIDES (Photo credit should read ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP/Getty Images)
(08 of13)
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(09 of13)
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A fire burns at a restaurant after an earthquake in Iquique, Chile, Tuesday, April 1, 2014. A powerful magnitude-8.2 earthquake struck off Chile's northern coast Tuesday night. There were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage, but buildings shook in nearby Peru and in Bolivia's high altitude capital of La Paz. (AP Photo/Cristian Viveros) NO PUBLICAR EN CHILEF
(10 of13)
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View of a large fire in the historical center of Iquique, Chile, 01 April 2014, after a 8.2 Richter scale earthquake hit in the Pacific Ocean, triggering a Tsunami, in the North of Chile. The Chilean government confirmed five dead as consequence of the quake and following Tsunami that affected the regions of Arica and Parinacota, in the North of the country. EPA/ALEX VALDES
(11 of13)
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Firemen help in the evacuation of people towards a high zone due to a Tsunami alert after an 8.2 Richter scale earthquake in Valaparaiso, Chile, 01 April 2014. Chilean authorities said they were evacuating all coastal areas, but reported no casualties or significant damage. EPA/STR
(12 of13)
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People flee the 'Costa Verde' bay after a tsunami alert in Lima on April 1, 2014. A tsunami warning has been issued for Chile, Peru and Ecuador, US officials said. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), 83 kilometers from Iquique on Chile's northern coast, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. AFP PHOTO/ERNESTO BENAVIDES (Photo credit should read ERNESTO BENAVIDES/AFP/Getty Images)
(13 of13)
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Locals gather on the street following a tsunami alert after a powerful 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck off Chile's Pacific coast on April 1, 2014 in Antofagasta. A tsunami warning has been issued for Chile, Peru and Ecuador, US officials said. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), 83 kilometers from Iquique on Chile's northern coast, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. AFP PHOTO / FRANCESCO DEGASPERI