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Guatemala earthquake: Dozens missing, says Perez Molina Guatemala earthquake: Dozens killed, says Perez Molina
(35 minutes later)
Dozens of Guatemalans are missing and up to 15 killed after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit off the Pacific coast, President Otto Perez Molina has said. Thirty-nine people have been killed and many more are missing after a 7.4-magnitude quake hit off the Guatemala's Pacific coast, the president has said.
He has declared a national alert and advised people to evacuate tall buildings as a precaution. Otto Perez Molina declared a national alert and advised people to evacuate tall buildings as a precaution.
Officials said landslides had buried roads and it would take 24 hours to restore links to the quake-hit area.Officials said landslides had buried roads and it would take 24 hours to restore links to the quake-hit area.
Frightened people fled from offices and homes around the region, as buildings shook from Mexico City to San Salvador.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 Guatemalan town of Champerico.Quake officials said the tremor hit at about 10:35 local time (1635 GMT) about 23km (15 miles) from the Guatemalan town of Champerico.
Mr Perez Molina said so far three people had been confirmed dead. Mr Perez Molina has given several news conferences, each time raising the number of casualties.
"Other preliminary information, which has not been confirmed, says the number of dead could rise to around 15 people," he said. He was touring the affected area and said 39 deaths had now been confirmed in what he called a tragedy.
He added that another 15 people were believed to be trapped under ground and about 100 people were missing. He had earlier said 15 people were believed to be trapped under ground and about 100 people were missing.
Other officials gave higher casualty figures. The national voluntary fire service gave details href="https://twitter.com/BVoluntarios" >on its twitter feed of the damage across the San Marcos region, describing how firefighters had pulled five bodies from the rubble including that of an 11-year-old boy.
Aroldo Rivera, governor of San Marcos, the worst-affected region, was quoted as saying 29 people had been confirmed killed and 155 injured. The service said 14 houses had been destroyed in Quetzaltenango, a city that houses dozens of language schools popular with tourists.
Firefighters earlier said a school had collapsed in San Pedro Sacatepequez in San Marcos region. Firefighters earlier said a school had collapsed in San Pedro Sacatepequez, also in the San Marcos area.
The firefighters later said at least eight people had been killed, though it was not clear if the deaths were related to the school collapse.
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."
The region is often hit by quakes, which have periodically caused huge damage and many deaths.The region is often hit by quakes, which have periodically caused huge damage and many deaths.
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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