Mag 5.9 quake shakes El Salvador, but no damage reported

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – A strong magnitude 5.9 earthquake has shaken the Central American nation of El Salvador, causing many people to rush into the streets, but authorities say there have been no reports of injuries or damage.

The director of the Civil Protection agency said Monday’s quake was felt across much of the nation. Jorge Melendez says, “We have no reports of any impact.”

The Salvadoran Red Cross also says it has not received any reports of victims or damage.

The U.S. Geological Survey says the quake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.9 and occurred at a depth of 49 kilometres (30 miles). It was centred about 80 kilometres (50 miles) south-southeast of the capital, San Salvador.