Strong quake hits Costa Rica: seismologists

A strong earthquake shook Costa Rica, seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.

A strong earthquake shook Costa Rica on Thursday, seismologists said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damages.

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The country's national earthquake observatory said the quake had a magnitude of 6.3, while the US Geological Survey registered it at 5.7 on the moment magnitude scale.

The quake hit at 2254 IST (1724 GMT), some 15 km southwest of the fishing town of Golfito on the Pacific coast and 175 km southeast of the capital, at a depth of 10 km, the US agency said.

Witness reports to a radio show suggested the quake was felt across the Central American country, particularly in the capital and on the Pacific coast near the epicenter.

A 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook Costa Rica on January 8 killing 20 people, leaving seven missing and causing more than 100 million dollars in damages.