Strong quake strikes off Nicaragua

SAN SALVADOR—A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck off Nicaragua’s northwestern Pacific coast on Sunday, seismologists said, rattling Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador.

Nicaraguan authorities said the quake, which hit at 0937 GMT and had a depth of 73 kilometers (45 miles), was followed by five strong aftershocks.

Authorities in Nicaragua reported no damage or injuries, and no tsunami. That was echoed by officials in El Salvador, where the Office of Civil Protection said “there are no reports of personal or material damage.”

In Honduras, teams were sent to the south of the country to confirm initial reports that there was no significant impact.

The offshore epicenter was located 23 kilometers west of the town of Jiquilillo, and 160 kilometers west of the Nicaraguan capital Managua, the US Geological Survey said.

Moises Alvarado, of Nicaragua’s permanent prevention commission Copeco, said the quake was caused by friction between the Cocos and Caribbean plates.