The death count from a powerful earthquake in Chile has sharply risen to 708, the local newspaper Tercera reported citing President Michelle Bachelet.

Earlier reports said more than 400 people were killed by Saturday's 8.8-magnitude earthquake. A series of tsunamis followed the tremors.

The quake occurred to the north of Chile's second largest city Concepcion with a population of some 200,000 located some 500 kilometers (300 miles) south of the capital Santiago.

On Sunday there were numerous 4.8-6.1 magnitude aftershocks in Chile.

More than 50 countries were placed under a tsunami advisory. Areas of concern were the Hawaiian Islands, French Polynesia, Australia, and Japan. Later the tsunami warning for Pacific nations was lifted.

Earlier Bachelet told the nation that 2 million Chileans were left homeless and 1.5 million houses were damaged by the quake.

MOSCOW, February 28 (RIA Novosti)