A strong earthquake measuring 6.5 magnitude struck the Pacific Ocean near the coast of El Salvador, causing tremors felt across Central America, from Nicaragua to Guatemala, on Tuesday.

The epicenter, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey, was located 27 miles (43 kilometers) south of Intipuca, El Salvador, with a depth of 43 miles (70 kilometers).

This area falls outside the Gulf of Fonseca, which is shared by Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua.

In El Salvador’s capital, residents rushed into the streets as the ground shook, but no immediate reports of damage or injuries were received, the Associated Press reported.

When a radio station opened its phone lines to residents nationwide, there were no immediate reports of victims.

During the earthquake, lawmakers in the country’s Legislative Assembly quickly evacuated the building but returned shortly after to resume the session.

The Environment Ministry of El Salvador assured that there was no threat of a tsunami resulting from the earthquake.

In Nicaragua, the tremors were strongly felt in the capital and along the entire Pacific coast. Nicaragua’s Vice President and First Lady, Rosario Murillo, stated that there were no immediate reports of victims in the country.

Written by staff