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UPDATE: One confirmed dead; Buildings collapse from 6.4 quake in PR

A public school, Agripina Seda, collapsed completely because of the widespread quakes in Puerto Rico today, January 7, 2020. Photo: Facebook
The stilts or supporting posts of many home collapsed from the quakes in Puerto Rico. Photo: Facebook
The stilts or supporting posts of many home collapsed from the quakes in Puerto Rico. Photo: Facebook
Another earthquake damaged home in Puerto Rico. Photo: Facebook
Another earthquake damaged home in Puerto Rico. Photo: Facebook
A home flattened by the seismic activity in Puerto Rico. Photo: Facebook
A home flattened by the seismic activity in Puerto Rico. Photo: Facebook
Some homes were badly damaged by the powerful earthquake in Puerto Rico on Monday, January 6, 2020. Photo: EPA
Some homes were badly damaged by the powerful earthquake in Puerto Rico on Monday, January 6, 2020. Photo: EPA
A 6.6 magnitude earthquake, followed 10 minutes later by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, were registered in Puerto Rico and felt across the Virgin Islands just before dawn today, Tuesday, January 7, 2020. Photo: Earthquakes Tracker
A 6.6 magnitude earthquake, followed 10 minutes later by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, were registered in Puerto Rico and felt across the Virgin Islands just before dawn today, Tuesday, January 7, 2020. Photo: Earthquakes Tracker
The 5.8-magnitude quake that struck early Monday morning, January 6, 2020 off Puerto Rico collapsed five homes in the southwest coastal town of Guanica and heavily damaged dozens of others. Photo: Photo: AP/Carlos Giusti
The 5.8-magnitude quake that struck early Monday morning, January 6, 2020 off Puerto Rico collapsed five homes in the southwest coastal town of Guanica and heavily damaged dozens of others. Photo: Photo: AP/Carlos Giusti
The popular tourist rock formation, known as Punta Ventana, was destroyed on Monday, January 6, 2020, when the earthquake hit off Puerto Rico. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
The popular tourist rock formation, known as Punta Ventana, was destroyed on Monday, January 6, 2020, when the earthquake hit off Puerto Rico. Photo: AFP/Getty Images
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico- At least one person has been confirmed dead following a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Puerto Rico early Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

There have also been reports of island-wide power outage as well as structural damage to roads and bridges, especially in the southwestern part of the island.

Following the heavy quake that hit at 4:24 am, there have been at least 24 aftershocks since.

According to Puerto Rico Governor, Wanda Vázquez, federal agencies monitoring the activity say the tremors and quakes could continue for the next few days.

Vázquez also announced this morning that the island is in an official state of emergency.

"We've never been exposed to this kind of emergency in 102 years," she said.

Wall collapses on elderly man

A man died after a wall that was under construction in his house in the southern city of Ponce collapsed during the quake. The victim was identified as Nelson Martínez, 73.

Ponce, one of the island's largest cities, has no power, intermittent access to water and is grappling with landslides affecting its main highway.

María "Mayita" Meléndez, the mayor of Ponce, told NBC News that at least nine other people in her city were injured.

‘People don’t feel safe’

Residents scared to go back into their homes are seeking refugee inside their cars, parked in open areas and public parking lots, said Meléndez.

"People don't feel safe," she added. "We are living moments of uncertainty."

Widespread damage has also been reported in the southwest town of Guánica close to the earthquake's epicenter.

A public school, Agripina Seda, collapsed completely because of the widespread quakes.

Puerto Rico’s housing secretary, Fernando Gil Enseñat, said nearly 400 people are housed in shelters in at least five municipalities. Over 200 sought shelter in Guánica, 40 in Ponce and 56 in the town of San Germán.

See previous article published January 7, 2020

Back to back 6 magnitude earthquakes recorded off coast of PR

A 6.6 magnitude earthquake, followed 10 minutes later by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, were registered in Puerto Rico and felt across the Virgin Islands just before dawn today, Tuesday, January 7, 2020.

The first earthquake was recorded at 4:24 am and the second at 4:34 am, according to Earthquakes Tracker.

Reports from Puerto Rico are that power is out in some areas and people have been thrown into a state of panic.

The earthquake on Tuesday follows a 5.8-magnitude quake that struck early Monday morning, January 6, 2020, collapsing five homes in the southwest coastal town of Guanica and heavily damaged dozens of others. It also caused small landslides and power outages.

6.6 magnitude quake

According to the US Geological Survey, the 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit just south of Puerto Rico at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. Officials did not issue a tsunami warning.

There was no immediate report of injuries or damage.

A Joey Menendez wrote on the Facebook page, BVI Community Board, “It was in PR and you felt it, in San Juan people are crying, dogs barking.”

“We lost electrical power in Puerto Rico,” Eddie Castaneda wrote.

Puerto Rico, with a population of around 3.2 million people, has been rattled by a series of earthquakes since December 28, 2019. 

The US territory is situated between the North America and Caribbean tectonic plates, making it vulnerable to earthquakes.

Reactions in VI

Meanwhile, persons in the Virgin Islands also reported on social media they felt the quakes on Tuesday morning. Many said the quakes shook them out of their sleep.

“Bed was shaking,” Dawn Brewley said.

“Twice. Shaking bad,” Keith A. Vernon said.

Up to time of publication, no Tsunami warnings had been issued for the VI.

12 Responses to “UPDATE: One confirmed dead; Buildings collapse from 6.4 quake in PR”

  • big ones (07/01/2020, 05:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    my bed was swaying for sure. hear it bad in PR. People crying and power out. We have to pray
    • Jaigon (07/01/2020, 09:37) Like (33) Dislike (2) Reply
      @big one, prayer is sure but if we wants our prayer to be answered we have to first change our ways and love our neighbors just as ourselves. Too much hatred and bitterness in our hearts against each other. We have to recognize that we are one people made in the likeness of the creator and hatred have no place among us.
  • pat (07/01/2020, 06:09) Like (7) Dislike (1) Reply
    they are getting bigger and bigger Lord send help
  • signs of times (07/01/2020, 09:25) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Too much wickedness or HAARP at work
  • lol (07/01/2020, 09:27) Like (2) Dislike (9) Reply
    I bet Trump will blame all this on Iran
  • Not natural (07/01/2020, 09:50) Like (1) Dislike (11) Reply
    All these so call natural events aren’t naturally no more, we live in the era of weather warfare, HAARP and D.E.W weapons people need to research and read
    • Hmm (07/01/2020, 17:36) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
      Just because those thing exist doesn't mean it's those. PR is literally earthquake prone because of it's location, same as California etc. It's going to happen, so come to reality.
  • Chris (07/01/2020, 14:36) Like (1) Dislike (15) Reply
    More likely the democrats will blame Trump and add this to the impeachment articles.
  • oh boy (07/01/2020, 16:44) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    Luckily it didn't happen in the day because several school children would've been in the morgue now
  • NezRez (07/01/2020, 18:32) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wishing everyone the best in recovery and rebuilding. This one is hard, since after Hurricane Maria ravished the place.
  • Count your blessings (08/01/2020, 05:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    That school collapse could have happened during school time. Thank God it was early morning
  • Youth (08/01/2020, 10:43) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
    When we see these thing, look up because redemption draws neigh.

    BVI! BVI! Watch and Pray because our God is coming soon. The signs are all over.


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