Strong earthquake rocks El Salvador, Guatemala; no immediate reports of injuries, damage

Quake shakes El Salvador, Guatemala

SAN SALVADOR, EL Salvador — A strong earthquake struck off El Salvador’s Pacific coast Thursday, sending people running from buildings in this Central American nation and in neighboring Guatemala.

Civil protection officials in both countries said there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, was centered 31 miles (51 kilometers) southwest of the Salvadoran town of Sonsonate, and 47 miles (76 kilometers) west of the capital, San Salvador, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

“In Sonsonate, people were really scared and ran out into the street, but thank God there were no injuries,” said Carlos Lopez, spokesman for El Salvador’s Red Cross.