After the strong earthquake that hit Costa Rica at 8:42 a.m. Wednesday, some 530 aftershocks have been registered. Damage report:
Guanacaste:
-A 55-years woman died of a heart attack, in the canton of Filadelfia, according to a Red Cross spokesperson, who also said is not clear whether the death is linked to the quake.
-At least 5 houses fell down and dozens were affected.
-Damages on some walls at the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. The runway did not suffer any serious damages. No flights suspended, and no one was evacuated, according to Nayuribe Vargas, a spokeswoman with the Civil Aviation Authority.
-Marco Jiménez, Mayor of Nicoya, confirmed minor cracks on the Tempisque River bridge and at the Santa Marta brigde at the canton of Nosara. He also said there are small cracks at the colonial church of Nicoya.
Alajuela:
-At least 15 houses with serious damages.
-The highway to the Northern canton of San Carlos will be closed for at least a week.
Puntarenas:
-Damages at the walls and ceilings of the fifth floor of the Monseñor Sanabria Hospital. Several patients are being evacuated to other facilities.
San José:
-Minor damages at the structure of the National Theater and two buildings at the University of Costa Rica.
-400 patients at the Calderón Guardia Hospital were evacuated or discharged.
Services:
-President Laura Chinchilla ordered the suspension of lessons in all schools at Central Valley.
-Agriculture Ministry, Foreign Ministry and the National Roadway Council closed services for the day, and will resume Thursday.
-GSM and SMS cellphone networks are presenting failures.
