A 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit offshore Guatemala yesterday (18 January) at 9.40am local time, the United States Geological Survey revealed. The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 97 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of Guatemala City in the Pacific Ocean. So far, there have been no reports of injuries or damages in either Guatemala or El Salvador. The US Geological Survey has, however, warned of further earthquakes or aftershocks in the region in coming days. Authorities in both countries have reportedly launched search operations in the effort to find possible casualties.
The Central American tremor comes days after a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake that wreaked havoc in the Caribbean state of Haiti.