7.3-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off of El Salvador; Building Damage Reported
No tsunami was expected, but buildings were damaged, with 1 death reported.
— -- A 7.3-magnitude earthquake was reported off the coast of El Salvador Monday, and while no tsunami threat was expected, wall collapses and building damage were reported.
The earthquake occurred at 9:52 p.m. local time (11:52 ET), about 40 miles west of Nicaragua and south of El Salvador, at a depth of 14 miles, according to the United States Geological Society.
Buildings and structures collapsed in San Miguel, El Salvador, with the earthquake responsible for at least one death -- an intoxicated man who was killed when an electric pole collapsed on him, San Miguel Mayor Will Salgado said.
Homes and hospitals were damaged by the earthquake.
Landslides also were reported in the area.
Localized flooding could occur in nearby countries such as Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador, with some minor sea level fluctuations possible. But residents shouldn't worry about the threat of a tsunami, authorities said.
"The tsunami threat from this earthquake has now mostly passed," the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center reported.
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