No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveHonduran Coast Suffers Severe Earthquake

Honduran Coast Suffers Severe Earthquake

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocked towns and islands across the Caribbean coast of northern Central America early Thursday morning. According to The Associated Press, the quake collapsed more than 20 homes and killed at least four.

The quake struck at 2:24 a.m. Its epicenter was in the Atlantic Ocean, 75 miles NNE of La Ceiba, Honduras, near the HonduranBayIslands. The earthquake was felt in Honduras, Guatemala and Belize, and officials at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said small aftershocks also have been reported in Mexico.

The Caribbean coast of Honduras sustained the most damage from the quake.

According to early reports, three of the four confirmed deaths occurred in coastal Honduran towns. The fourth death took place in Mapulaca, Honduras, near the border with El Salvador.

A portion of the DemocracyBridge in El Progreso, Honduras, also collapsed during Thursday morning’s event. The bridge connects San Pedro Sula, Honduras’ second-largest city, to the rest of the country.

Arlie Thompson, governor of the BayIslands of Honduras – closest to the epicenter – said damage on the islands was minimal compared with damage reported in coastal towns across the bay.

He said there were reports that one home collapsed on the island of Utila and a couple of other homes suffered major damage. No deaths or injuries were reported on the archipelago.

“It’s mostly just broken glass and cracks in the walls here,” he said.

Thompson said electricity was out for several hours, but service was restored to most homes by 9 a.m.

A tsunami warning was issued for the islands and the mainland, but it was cancelled a few hours after the initial shake.

The earthquake was centered in the Cayman Trench, a moderately active fault zone that stretches from southeastern Cuba to Central America. According to USGS, the last earthquake in the area that registered above 7.0 was in 2001.

–Mike McDonald

 

Trending Now

Hondurans March to Mark 2009 Coup as Election Battle Heats Up

Thousands of government supporters marched Saturday in the capital of Honduras to commemorate the anniversary of the 2009 coup that ousted then-leftist President Manuel...

Guatemala Offers Asylum to Nicaraguan Migrants Deported by U.S.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo announced on Friday that his country will grant asylum to Nicaraguan migrants deported by the United States who do not...

Costa Rica Faces Scrutiny After Murder of Exiled Nicaraguan Officer

The Costa Rican government is facing growing criticism after the murder of exiled Nicaraguan military officer Roberto Samcam, who was shot to death in...

A Costa Rica Love Story: From Rustic Cabina to Separate Dreams

My Tica wife and I have been together for over a quarter century. When we met, I was living a simple life here. Three...

Fishing, Wildlife, and History in Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado

Costa Rica’s Barra del Colorado is a magical and charming town. It’s one of the country’s hidden gems, best known for its world-class sport...

Costa Rica Maintains Economic Stability Amid Global Tensions

Costa Rica is holding steady economically despite global tensions sparked by conflicts involving Israel, the United States, and Iran, according to Federico Quesada Chaves,...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica