A magnitude 6.1 earthquake rattled the southern Pacific coast of Guatemala late on Friday, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey, prompting some residents to flee their homes amid early accounts of structural damage.
According to Reuters, the seismic activity also reverberated across neighboring El Salvador. Despite the late hour, and while many were asleep, no immediate injuries were reported.
Authorities in El Salvador characterized the quake as “strong” and remained vigilant about ongoing developments.
The earthquake’s epicenter was situated near the Guatemalan town of Taxisco, approximately 60 miles (100 km) south of the capital, Guatemala City, where alarm systems blared, prompting frightened residents to evacuate their residences.
According to the USGS, the quake occurred at a depth of 108 km.
Guatemala’s emergency services agency CONRED reported that portions of a church facade in the town of San Pablo Jocopilas, northwest of the quake’s epicenter, collapsed due to the tremor.
