Chile's government works to re-establish connectivity in quake-affected zone

A damaged road is seen after a quake at Tarahuin, on Chiloe island, southern Chile, December 25, 2016. REUTERS/Alvaro Vidal

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Chile's government set to work on Monday repairing roads and restoring electricity to southern regions affected by a major earthquake that struck on Christmas Day, frightening thousands but resulting in no fatalities or major damage.

The quake, a magnitude 7.6 centred off Chiloe Island northwest of Patagonia, caused thousands in the tourism and salmon farming region to evacuate to higher ground amid fears of a tsunami. A tsunami never materialized however and, thanks to strict building codes in the earthquake-prone nation, structural damage was light. By Sunday night, almost all Chileans had returned to their homes.