Magnitude 6.5 quake hits off Chile near Coquimbo: USGS

(Reuters) - A magnitude 6.5 quake struck off Chile's coast near the coastal city of Coquimbo, the U.S. Geological Survey said on Thursday.

The quake, which hit an earthquake-prone area, was very shallow and struck 51 miles (82 km) west of Coquimbo, the USGS added. The quake was initially measured at 6.4 magnitude.

(Reporting by Sandra Maler in Washington; Editing by Peter Cooney)