Strong earthquake reported off Nicaragua coast

MEXICO CITY — A strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake was registered off the Pacific coast of Nicaragua around midday yesterday, the US Geological Survey said.

There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries after the quake, which was felt at 11:34 a.m. local time (1734 GMT).

The US Geological Survey said the quake was centered about 50 kilometers (31 miles) west of the Masachapa, a community located on Nicaragua's Pacific coast.

Nicaragua's seismological institute measured the temblor's strength as 6.6, and it declared a tsunami alert as a precaution because of the earthquake's strength.