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UPDATE: One confirmed dead; Buildings collapse from 6.4 quake in PR
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.
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BVI! BVI! Watch and Pray because our God is coming soon. The signs are all over.