Magnitude 5.9 quake rocks Puerto Rico just hours after major tremors, millions of dollars in damage caused
- Despite the major damage to property, no deaths or injuries have so far been reported
A magnitude 5.9 quake shook Puerto Rico on Saturday, causing millions of dollars of damage along the island’s southern coast, where previous recent quakes have toppled homes and schools.
The US Geological Survey said the 8.54am (1254 GMT) quake hit 8 miles (13km) southeast of Guanica at a shallow depth of 3 miles (5km). It was followed by several aftershocks, including a magnitude 5.2 temblor less than two minutes later.
No injuries or deaths were reported, officials said.
Saturday’s quake occurred four days after a 6.4 magnitude quake in the same area and amid a spate of more than 1,100 mostly small quakes over the past 15 days.
Governor Wanda Vazquez estimated damage from Tuesday’s earthquake at US$110 million, with a total of 559 structures affected. She said her administration was immediately releasing US$2 million to six of the most affected municipalities.
