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6.5-magnitude quake hits Guatemala

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An earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale has hit Guatemala close to the border with Mexico, but there have been no initial reports of casualties or damage.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 0013 GMT on Friday just outside Pajapita in Guatemala, about 9 miles from the border with Mexico.

The USGS measured the quake at a depth of 67.7 kilometers.

“At the moment, we have no reports of damage or victims,” said Mel Aparicio, an official at Guatemala’s emergency services.

Reports say the earthquake was also felt south of Guatemala in El Salvador.

“We have no reports of any damage,” so far, Jorge Melendez, El Salvador’s director of civil protection, said.

According to the USGS, a 5.4-magnitude aftershock hit Champerico to the southwest of Pajapita on Guatemala’s Pacific coast about seven minutes after the initial quake.

Last year, a strong earthquake hit the Central American country, killing around 50 people.

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