A strong earthquake struck off the coast of Honduras early Thursday, May 28, 2009, causing people to run into the streets in their pajamas as far away as Guatemala City. The magnitude 7.1 quake struck at 3:24 a.m., collapsing shacks in Belize and Honduras.
Three deaths have been reported by Carlos Gonzales, deputy director of the Honduras Permanent Emergency Commission. A man died of an apparent heart attack in Pineda de la Lima, 120 miles north of the capital. The other victims are reported to be a 15-year-old boy and a 3-year-old girl.
The U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado indicates that the epicenter was 80 miles northeast of La Ceiba, Honduras, and 200 miles from Tegucigalpa, the capital city. The quake was felt strongly across the Honduras Caribbean coast. A tsunami watch for Honduras, Belize and Guatemala was issued but has since been lifted.
According to firefighter Juan Sevilla, wooden homes collapsed in Puerto Cortes, 120 miles north of Tegucigalpa, as well as a stadium wall in Comayagua, 60 miles north of the capital. A major bridge across the Ulua River suffered major damage. A water tower toppled in the town of Independence. Electricity was out all the way to the Mexican border.
Dozens of workers were evacuated from factories in San Pedro Sula after cracks were discovered in the buildings. In the same city, a two-story warehouse caught fire. The roads in several cities are reported to have sustained cracks.
National Emergency Minister Melvin Hulse made a radio plea, “I urge you not to panic, but to remain calm. Your government is monitoring the situation and will be keeping you informed.”
The USGS is reporting that a magnitude 4.8 aftershock hit off Honduras about three hours after the initial quake.
Check out earthquake damage as shown in photos and video footage below.