HTH -- Haiti Earthquake

September 20, 2011. One dead, three missing as four earthquakes hit Guatemala

SOURCE: Altegrity Risk International

Four earthquakes struck the southeastern part of Guatemala in less than two hours during the afternoon of September 19th, causing at least one death as some walls collapsed. Three people remained missing. President Alvaro Colom urged calm after the temblors were felt across the country; they were all centered in an area about 51km (30 miles) southeast of Guatemala City. The strongest earthquake was measured around 5.8 magnitude. All rescue forces and government agencies have been activated to deal with the aftermath. Besides Cuilapa, the areas of Santa Maria Inhuatan and Oratorio were most affected, Guatemala's seismology institute said. Public buildings were evacuated and school classes canceled.

The quakes also caused landslides along the main highway to El Salvador, and at least one car was buried, authorities said.