Series of earthquakes shake Guatemala, 3 reported dead

Series of earthquakes shake Guatemala, 3 reported dead

2011-09-20 14:15:19 GMT+7 (ICT)

GUATEMALA CITY (BNO NEWS) -- At least three people were killed on Monday afternoon when a series of light to moderate earthquakes struck Guatemala in rapid succession, officials said.

The first earthquake took place at around 12 p.m. local time in Santa Rosa, a southern department in Guatemala, about 41 kilometers (25 miles) south of the nation's capital. According to Guatemala's Seismologic, Volcanogic, Meteorlogic, and Hydrologic Institute (Insivumeh), the earthquake had a strength of 4.8 on the Richter scale.

The earthquake was reportedly felt in various parts of the country, including the Guatemala City metropolitan area, El Progreso, San Marcos, Sacatepequez, Chimaltenango, Santa Rosa, Jalapa, Chiquimula, Jutiapa, Zacapa, Quetzaltenango, Alta Verapaz, and Baja Verapaz, among other regions.

About half an hour later, a 4.9-magnitude earthquake, also in Santa Rosa, shook the country at around 12:33 p.m. local time, Insivumeh reported, although the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured it as a 5.8-magnitude earthquake.

The third quake was also registered in Santa Rosa by the Institute at 1:17 p.m., with a recorded magnitude of 4.7. The national mobile phone network began having difficulties as they were saturated with residents trying to call their families.

In Cuilapa, the capital of Santa Rosa, volunteer firefighters said about 400 people were evacuated to the city's military zone, which has been designated as a temporary refugee camp. Furthermore, firefighters reported three deaths in the region.

However, the only confirmed death was that of 38-year-old Floridalma Divas Escobar, who was buried under a falling tree and bolder, as she was walking in front of her house in the village of Las Animas in Cuilapa. Her five-year-old child, Concepcion de Maria, was reported injured and transferred to a local hospital.

Landslides have also been reported on the highway to El Salvador, on the 65 and 75 kilometer marker. Nationals around the country have used social networking websites to further inform of the incident. Nonetheless, Insivumeh officials have advised residents to stay calm and not regard rumors.

Several schools and office buildings were evacuated, including the National Supreme Court, the Justice Department, and the Finance Ministry. Meanwhile, Guatemalan President Alvaro Colom confirmed that the national alert level had been placed at orange in order to attend the emergency.

In Santa Rosa, classes were suspended for the rest of the day and for Tuesday as well. Officials have underlined that replicas may occur, although they are impossible to predict.

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