SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A 5.9 magnitude earthquake on Friday shook the south-central swathe of Chile heavily damaged by a devastating February quake, but there were no immediate reports of damage.
Residents in Bio-Bio region were awakened by the quake that lasted 25 seconds, Radio Cooperativa reported.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake had a magnitude of 5.9 and struck at 6:03 a.m. (11:03 a.m. British time) 41 miles (66 km) south of the south-central city of Concepcion, which was ravaged by a massive 8.8-magnitude quake on February 27. The USGS initially had reported the quake at a 6.1 magnitude.
Chile's navy ruled out the possibility of a tsunami.
"I have no reports of damage to infrastructure or (injuries) to people," Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter told Radio Cooperativa. "I hope this is the last of the aftershocks that seismologists warned might come after the February 27 quake."
February's quake and ensuing tsunamis killed hundreds of people and tore up roads and towns. It caused an estimated $30 billion (19.5 billion pounds) in damage to infrastructure, homes, industry and lost productivity.
South-central Chile has been shaken by dozens of aftershocks since.
(Reporting by Simon Gardner; editing by Will Dunham)
