Quake Rocks Central America
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SAN SALVADOR — A strong earthquake rattled the Central American nations of El Salvador, Nicaragua and Honduras on Tuesday and was followed by eight aftershocks, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The quake struck just after midday and was recorded at a magnitude of 5.9 by Nicaragua’s Institute of Territorial Studies.
The U.S. Geological Service’s National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colo., said it measured the quake at 5.3. It gave the epicenter as 35 miles east of San Salvador. A magnitude 6 quake is capable of causing widespread damage.
Monitors reported another eight shocks later Tuesday, ranging in magnitude from 3 to 4.8.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross in El Salvador, there were no reports of damage or injuries. The tremors, however, caused considerable alarm among a population that was hit by two deadly quakes measuring 7.6 and 6.6 earlier this year.
A spokesperson for Honduras’ fire service said no reports of damages or injuries from Tuesday’s tremors had been received.
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