This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-51023554
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Puerto Rico hit by 6.4-magnitude earthquake | Puerto Rico hit by 6.4-magnitude earthquake |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Puerto Rico has been hit by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake, resulting in at least one death and causing island-wide power cuts, officials say. | Puerto Rico has been hit by a 6.4-magnitude earthquake, resulting in at least one death and causing island-wide power cuts, officials say. |
This most recent quake, which began early on Tuesday morning, was the strongest in a series of quakes that have damaged Puerto Rico this week. | This most recent quake, which began early on Tuesday morning, was the strongest in a series of quakes that have damaged Puerto Rico this week. |
Authorities say the island's power plants suffered some damage and power was shut off as a protective measure. | Authorities say the island's power plants suffered some damage and power was shut off as a protective measure. |
The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there is no tsunami threat. | The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there is no tsunami threat. |
The initial earthquake struck at 04:24 local time, just south of the Caribbean island at a depth of 6 miles (10km), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). It was followed hours later by a 6.0 aftershock. | The initial earthquake struck at 04:24 local time, just south of the Caribbean island at a depth of 6 miles (10km), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). It was followed hours later by a 6.0 aftershock. |
Strong shaking was reported, causing damage to buildings and homes. | Strong shaking was reported, causing damage to buildings and homes. |
A 73-year-old man in the southern city of Ponce was the only confirmed death. | A 73-year-old man in the southern city of Ponce was the only confirmed death. |
Mayor Mayita Melendez said the man died when a wall fell on him in his home, Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia reported. | Mayor Mayita Melendez said the man died when a wall fell on him in his home, Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Dia reported. |
Eight others were injured, Ms Melendez told WAPA television. | Eight others were injured, Ms Melendez told WAPA television. |
On Monday, Puerto Rico was hit by a 5.8-magnitude quake that destroyed a popular tourist rock formation, damaged homes and caused power cuts. | |
In addition to damages to homes, buildings and roads, the island has been without power since the second earthquake, local media report. | |
Automatic protection systems caused all power plants to shut down, but the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority expects most power to return later on Tuesday. | Automatic protection systems caused all power plants to shut down, but the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority expects most power to return later on Tuesday. |
Officials say two planes are currently checking infrastructure across the island. | Officials say two planes are currently checking infrastructure across the island. |
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vasquez has closed non-essential public offices for the day and a number of schools have cancelled classes. | Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vasquez has closed non-essential public offices for the day and a number of schools have cancelled classes. |
The USGS reported that these quakes were part of an ongoing series that began on 28 December and have caused hundreds of small quakes in the region. | The USGS reported that these quakes were part of an ongoing series that began on 28 December and have caused hundreds of small quakes in the region. |
Puerto Rico, a US territory of about 3.2 million people, is situated between the North America and Caribbean tectonic plates, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. | Puerto Rico, a US territory of about 3.2 million people, is situated between the North America and Caribbean tectonic plates, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. |
The island is still recovering from Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm that devastated parts of the Caribbean in September 2017. In Puerto Rico alone, the hurricane is estimated to have killed 2,975 people and caused $100bn (£75bn) of damage. | The island is still recovering from Hurricane Maria, a Category 5 storm that devastated parts of the Caribbean in September 2017. In Puerto Rico alone, the hurricane is estimated to have killed 2,975 people and caused $100bn (£75bn) of damage. |