Quake jolts Nicaragua, one dead

A 5.4-magnitude earthquake jolted Nicaragua on Wednesday, killing a woman and damaging homes close the epicenter in the country's north, officials said.

The quake struck at 1048 am (1648 GMT) in the area between the El Hoyo and Momotombo volcanoes, at a shallow depth of 2.9 kilometers (1.8 miles).

The woman, Higinia Margarita Cruz, suffered a heart attack from the shock of the shaking, said First Lady Rosario Murillo, who is also the government spokeswoman. Cruz was 78.

Windows shattered in a building under construction in Puerto Momotombo and many homes sustained damage to roofs.

Startled locals ran outside their homes and stayed there, concerned that if they went inside, another quake might strike.

Source:AFP