Chile presidential palace, other buildings evacuated due to gas smell

Chile's La Moneda presidential palace and several other buildings in the capital of Santiago have been evacuated due to a strong smell of gas, according to witnesses and posts on social media on Tuesday.

Hundreds of people were lined outside the palace and buildings surrounding it. Health authorities and firefighters said they were investigating the incident but had yet to identify the cause.

Local police said they had received calls reporting a strong smell of gas at several locations across the city center and called for precautions.

Authorities advised people to avoid the city center as firefighters are carrying out tests, focusing on hospitals, schools and other high priority areas.

Later, Piero Tardito, a commander for Santiago's firefighters, said at a press conference that measurements recorded around the city "don't show dangerous levels or abnormal levels."

Tardito added that he expects the cloud to dissipate in a matter of hours.

"We call on citizens to remain calm and return to their normal daily routine and functions."

Tardito said the cause of the smell had yet to be identified and was still under investigation.