6.2 quake hits near Guatemala City

by The Canadian Press - Story: 89389
Mar 25, 2013 / 5:39 pm



Photo: Contributed - beachcomberpete.com
Guatemala City

A 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck near Guatemala City on Monday, but residents said they barely felt the temblor and authorities had no immediate reports of damages or deaths.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake's epicenter was located 3 miles (6 kilometres) northwest of San Jose Pinula and had a depth of 200 kilometres (124 miles).

"So far we have received no reports of damage and we're monitoring nationwide," said Mario Cruz, a spokesman for firefighters.

The quake was only 6 miles (9 kilometres) from Guatemala's capital, but was barely felt, perhaps because of its depth.

In November 2012, a magnitude-7.4 earthquake left 42 people dead in Guatemala. The quake, which was just 32 kilometres (20 mile) deep, was centred off the coastal town of Champerico. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Guatemala since a 1976 temblor that killed 23,000.


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