Strong quake strikes Costa Rica: USGS

SAN JOSE – (VNS) A strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake struck Costa Rica on Tuesday, US seismologists said, but there was no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami, and no immediate reports of victims or damage.

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 6:45pm (0045 GMT), was located over land, 136km west of the capital San Jose, but only 13km from the town of Hojancha, the US Geological Survey said.

Residents in various parts of the Central American country told television and radio stations that they had strongly felt the quake. Local seismologists measured the quake at 6.2 on the Richter scale.

It struck at a depth of 20km.

"We have no reports of significant damage," said Vanessa Rosales of the National Emergency Commission, urging the population to remain calm.

As the earth shook below them, people took to the streets and shuttered businesses.

Omar Chavarria, an official in the town of Nicoya situated 15km from the epicentre, reported no damage or injuries.

"Some windows are broken but the situation is under control," he said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a bulletin saying "no destructive widespread tsunami threat exists."

But the centre warned that quakes of that magnitude "can generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts" located within 100km of the epicentre.

In September, a powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, briefly knocking out power lines, damaging rooftops and causing panic, but no reported casualties. AFP