BREAKING NEWS: Magnitude 6.6 earthquake rocks Costa Rica

NICOYA, COSTA RICA – October 23rd, 2012 (InsideCostaRica.com) – An earthquake initially reported as 6.6 magnitude on the Richter scale by USGS has just rocked Costa Rica.  Local media is reporting magnitudes from 6.2 to 6.4.  The epicenter is being reported as being 5km northeast of Hojancha in the province of Guanacaste, or 7km southeast of Nicoya, the location of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake which struck Costa Rica on September 5th.

Reports of strong shaking are being reported throughout the entire country.  Strong shaking was felt in the capital city of San Jose.  Various other reports of strong shaking have been reported throughout the province of Guanacaste.
Various agencies are issuing initial warnings about possible tsunamis.

Editors Note:  This is a breaking news story and Inside Costa Rica will provide live updates on this page as additional information is available. 

UPDATE 1:  The earthquake was felt extremely strong as far away as Limon.  Unlike the September 5th earthquake, this one was far more shallow.  Aftershocks have already occurred.  Some agencies are now saying there is NO tsunami alert.

UPDATE 2 (7:23pm):  Inside Costa Rica has received some damage reports from the province of Guanacaste including cracked walls and broken glass.

UPDATE 3: (7:30pm): Some areas of San Ramon in Alajuela are without electricity.  There are also areas of Guanacaste without electricity.  Local authorities are saying that the quake struck at a depth of just 6km, which is why it was felt so strongly throughout the country.
The quake was felt as far away as the neighboring country of Nicaragua.

UPDATE 4: (7:33pm) – Authorities say there is NO tsunami alert.

UPDATE 5: (7:38pm) – CCSS (Costa Rican Social Security / Public Health) says they have no reports of damages to public hospitals or clinics at this time.


UPDATE 6: (7:53pm) – CNE (National Emergency Response) and the Red Cross report that they have no reports of injuries at this time.



source:  insidecostarica