A variety of national team as well as American club alpine ski athletes training in multiple locations around Chile are reportedly safe following the strong 8.3-magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of the country on Wednesday evening.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the Pacific Ocean, over 150 miles from the areas where most of the athletes are currently training. The first violent shock lasted over one minute and several aftershocks could be felt for 20 minutes. After first reports, five people were killed and a million have been evacuated due to a tsunami watch that currently extends as far as California.

The U.S. Ski Team issued a statement on Wednesday night related to the event.

“All U.S. Ski Team members training in South America are safe and accounted for after an 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Chile. Athletes from the World Cup, Europa Cup, National Training Group and D Team are currently in Portillo, La Parva and Valle Nevado. Many felt the tremors and some have been evacuated from their hotels, but all are fine and bracing for aftershocks. Conditions will be evaluated in the morning.”

The Norwegian team also reported on the safety of its World Cup athletes who were in the area.

“Speed Vikings are all safe in Santiago, staff is safe in Valle Nevado and the Tech Vikings are still in Ushuaia (Argentina),” the Norwegian Alpine Ski Team Facebook page announced early Thursday morning.

Staff and athletes from Vermont’s Green Mountain Valley School who are also in Valle Nevado reported feeling the earthquake but seeing little damage.

“GMVS staff and students who are training in Valle Nevado, Chile, are all fine. There was moderate shaking from yesterday’s earthquake but very light potential damage. Please keep them in your thoughts!” the school stated on its website.

Photos courtesy of Ski Portillo and USGS