Just before the inauguration of its new president Sebastian Pinera, Chile was hit by a massive 7.2 magnitude aftershock, followed by two smaller ones.

The country is still reeling from the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck 12 days ago and killed hundreds.

In Constitucion, one of the cities hit hardest by the February 27 quake, people ran to higher ground after the Navy issued a tsunami alert.

In the capital city of Santiago, people began evacuating buildings and calling loved ones.

[Unidentified Building Employee]:

"We got out as quick as we could. We were on the fifth floor. I feel sorry for the people that were on the 13th and 14th floors, but we are fine. We are all fine."

Meanwhile, west of the capital in the coastal city of Valparaiso, foreign heads-of-state and other dignitaries gathered, and the swearing-in of Pinera proceeded despite the shaking.

The billionaire businessman is Chile's first conservative president in two decades.

He will be tasked with rebuilding one of Latin America's most prosperous countries after the devastating earthquake.

Pinera campaigned on promises to boost his country's economic growth and create a million jobs. But now his priorities will likely be providing aid to quake survivors and rebuilding the areas that were destroyed.