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Strong quake hits off Guatemala Strong earthquake off Guatemala
(about 1 hour later)
An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.4 has struck off the Pacific coast of Guatemala. A 7.4-magnitude earthquake has struck off Guatemala's Pacific coast, reportedly killing at least eight.
The tremor, which hit about 23km (15 miles) from the coastal town of Champerico, shook buildings from Mexico City to San Salvador, witnesses said. Guatemalan President Otto Perez Molina declared a national alert and advised people in affected areas to evacuate tall buildings as a precaution.
Frightened workers fled from offices around the region and a building collapsed in western Guatemala. Officials said roads had been buried in landslides, and it would take 24 hours to fully restore links to the region.
No tsunami warning was issued, and officials said no reports of serious damage had been received. Frightened people fled from offices and homes around the region, as buildings shook from Mexico City to San Salvador.
Quake officials said the tremor hit at about 10:35 local time (1635 GMT) about 23km (15 miles) from the coastal town of Champerico.
Firefighters said a school had collapsed in San Marcos region, near the border with Mexico.
The firefighters later said at least eight people had been killed, though it was not clear if it was related to the school collapse.
Secretary Vanessa Castillo, who was moved from her Guatemala City office, told Reuters news agency: "It was really big, I felt quite nauseous."
The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement there was no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami.The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in a statement there was no threat of a destructive widespread tsunami.
But it added: "Earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometres of the earthquake epicentre."But it added: "Earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within a hundred kilometres of the earthquake epicentre."
Quake officials said the tremor hit at about 10:35 local time (1635 GMT).
Secretary Vanessa Castillo, who was moved from her Guatemala City office, told Reuters news agency: "It was really big, I felt quite nauseous."
Firefighters said a building had collapsed in San Marcos region, near the border with Mexico, but there had been no reports of fatalities.
The region is often hit by quakes, which have periodically caused major damage and sparked mudslides.The region is often hit by quakes, which have periodically caused major damage and sparked mudslides.
Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the earthquake? You can contact the BBC using the form below.Are you in the region? Have you been affected by the earthquake? You can contact the BBC using the form below.
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