Guatemala earthquakes shook city in less than 90 minutes
Guatemala earthquake of 5.8-magnitude hit Monday afternoon with two of 4.8-magnitude hitting before and after, one person dies.
Residents and rescue workers stand outside the Supreme Court headquarters after earthquakes in Guatemala City, Monday, Sept. 19. Three earthquakes shook a major part of Guatemala in less than 90 minutes Monday afternoon, killing at least one person, authorities said.
El Periodico de Guatemala/AP
Guatemala City
Three earthquakes shook a major part of Guatemala in less than 90 minutes Monday afternoon, killing at least one person, authorities said.
The largest quake, a 5.8 magnitude, hit at 12:34 p.m., with two of 4.8 magnitude hitting before and after. All were centered in the same area about 30 miles (51 kilometers) southeast of the capital, Guatemala City.
Firefighters confirmed that the temblors, which shook most of the country, caused a landslide on the highway to El Salvador near the epicenter of Cuilapa Santa Rosa that trapped at least one car.
They also confirmed that a 28-year-old woman, Flor Escobar de Jesus, died when a wall collapsed in her house, also in Cuilapa. Firefighters initially had said she was killed in the landslide.
It was not clear if there were more deaths or injuries.
Public buildings were evacuated in the area and school classes canceled, authorities said.
The first quake struck at a depth of 38 miles (61 kilometers), the second at 25 miles (39 kilometers) and the third at 23 miles (37 kilometers.)
The first 4.8-magnitude temblor hit just after noon local time and the third of the same magnitude hit at about 1:20 p.m.