SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck near Puerto Rico late Monday, rousing and scaring many from their sleep in the U.S. territory.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake struck 49 miles (79 kilometers) off the island’s northwest coast at a shallow depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers). Two aftershocks, of 4.7- and 4.6-magnitude, hit within 20 minutes in the same region at the same depth.
Kiara Hernández, spokeswoman for the island’s Emergency Management Agency, told The Associated Press that there were no immediate reports of damage and that there was no risk of tsunami. She added that crews would be inspecting buildings to ensure their safety.
“We will know this information little by little,” she said.
The quake was felt across Puerto Rico and was the strongest to hit the island in recent years.
Yahaida Zavala, a 46-year-old San Juan resident, was asleep when it struck.
“I rushed into my son’s room,” she said. “He was sitting like he was paralyzed.”
They ran down the stairs of their building and stood outside with a small group of people awaiting aftershocks. /gsg