SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador—A strong earthquake hit off the coast of El Salvador early Thursday, May 30, sending frightened residents running out of their homes in the predawn hours.
Authorities said a small tsunami was possible, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.
“Monitoring of the entire country reflects that there has not been grave or widespread damage,” El Salvador’s Civil Defense agency said.
Strong earthquake off coast of El Salvador, tsunami possible > https://t.co/Lf99KnU4Ey #kprc2 #news pic.twitter.com/vhpWLLvmbG
— KPRC 2 Houston (@KPRC2) May 30, 2019
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 6.6. Its epicenter was about 17 miles (28 kilometers) south-southeast of La Libertad, a suburb of the regional capital, Santa Tecla, and it was recorded at a depth of 65 kilometers (40 miles).
Via Twitter, El Salvador’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources warned people to stay away from the Pacific Ocean for the next four hours.
The ministry said sea-level rises of up to 30 centimeters (11 inches) were possible along the length of El Salvador’s coast.
Strong earthquake hits off coast of El Salvador | 2019-05-30 | https://t.co/990q9ErXUz https://t.co/3TqiwePsbS
— Daily-Sun (@dailysunbd) May 30, 2019
It reported that seven aftershocks of between magnitude 4.1 and 5.0 were recorded.
The earthquake was felt strongly in the capital, San Salvador. People left their homes with flashlights, and power was knocked out in at least some areas.
Firefighters said they were monitoring various areas but did not report any damage or injuries. Classes were canceled in coastal areas as a precaution.
#BREAKING: Strong 6.1 magnitude #earthquake hits in Pacific off coast of El Salvador https://t.co/M84ah81U4I pic.twitter.com/LWNLBMPTBU
— WSVN 7 News (@wsvn) October 28, 2018
El Salvador’s civil protection authority said on Twitter that according to an initial assessment of the country, the earthquake had not had a “serious or generalized” impact. The sea off La Libertad was normal, it added.
Tremors were also felt in neighboring Guatemala.
Ministra Lina Pohl informa sobre sismo registrado esta madrugada. pic.twitter.com/PppViMPGOw
— MARN El Salvador (@MARN_SV) May 30, 2019
The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no warning in place for the coast of the western United States.
Tsunami Info Stmt: M6.6 El Salvador 0204PDT May 30: Tsunami NOT expected; CA,OR,WA,BC,and AK
— NWS Tsunami Alerts (@NWS_NTWC) May 30, 2019
Reuters contributed to this report.