Day: Nov 8, 2012
Photos: Strong Earthquake Hit Off Guatemala Coast

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Guatemala on Wednesday at around 10:35 a.m. local time (11:35 EDT), killing at least 48 people.
At least 23 people are still missing.
The strong earthquake damaged buildings, cars and roads.
The quake struck off Guatemala’s Pacific coast, 15 miles south of Champerico and 101 miles west-southwest of the capital”, said the US Geological Survey.
According to the USGS, the epicenter was 26 miles below the surface.
Most of the dead were buried under debris in San Marcos state, a mountainous region near the Mexican border.
Landslides that blocked the roads in some areas and severely damaged about 40 houses.
San Marcos state governor Luis Rivera said that the state government offices were almost completely destroyed.
In Guatemala City, office workers evacuated office buildings, although most soon returned to work.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a small tsunami was registered on Guatemala’s coast, adding that there was a risk of localized damage within a 62 mile radius.
The quake was also felt in El Salvador and more than 765 miles away in Mexico City.
This is a disaster!



