5.9 Quake Jars Southern Nicaragua

An earthquake shook southern Nicaragua on Friday, damaging buildings and sending frightened residents rushing into the streets. No injuries were reported.

Alejandro Rodriguez, director of the government’s Institute of Land Studies, said the quake occurred at 8:46 a.m. and had a magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter scale. He said the quake was centered near San Rafael del Sur, about 20 miles southwest of Managua.

Radio Sandino reported that some buildings were damaged in the town of Rivas. Landslides were reported in southern Nicaragua near the Asososca lagoon, which provides a significant part of Managua’s drinking water.

Radio broadcasts called on the public to remain calm in this capital, which was devastated by an earthquake in December, 1972, that killed at least 10,000 people. The city has never been completely rebuilt, and shells of abandoned concrete buildings remain today in what was once the downtown area.

Friday’s quake was also felt in neighboring Costa Rica, where one frightened resident of San Jose, the capital, said, “It lasted an eternity.” Costa Rican authorities said they had no reports of damage or injuries.