Two individuals tragically lost their lives in Guatemala when large rocks fell on their vehicle following a series of earthquakes. This incident occurred in the department of Escuintla on a local road on Tuesday, according to emergency services. The victims were traveling in a pickup truck when the rocks, dislodged from a hillside, struck their vehicle.
On the same day, authorities reported more than 37 earthquakes and aftershocks, with magnitudes fluctuating between 3.0 and 5.6. Edwin Rodas, the director of the National Institute for Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology, confirmed this significant seismic activity in the region. The tremors were felt not only in Guatemala but also across the border in El Salvador, prompting evacuations of buildings and causing landslides and minor property damage.
Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo held a press conference in which he highlighted the epicenter of the earthquakes was located in the department of Sacatepéquez. He noted that aftershocks affected regions in Escuintla and Guatemala departments. The situation has been serious enough that at least five individuals were reported trapped due to landslides, with two of them having already been rescued.
The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction has declared an orange alert, which is the second highest classification on the emergency scale. This alert indicates the potential for significant damage and danger to the populace as a result of the earthquakes and related landslides.
A notable earthquake registered by the US Geological Survey was a magnitude 4.8 tremor that occurred at 3:11 p.m. local time, located 4 kilometers (approximately 2.5 miles) southwest of the town of Amatitlán, south of Guatemala City, at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). Subsequently, another 5.7 magnitude quake was reported just 3 kilometers (2 miles) northwest of San Vicente Pacaya, which is a municipality in the Escuintla region of southern Guatemala. Additionally, a second magnitude 4.8 quake was noted 6 kilometers (4 miles) northwest of Palín, also located in Escuintla.
This series of seismic events has showcased the geological volatility of the region and resulted in considerable alarm among residents and authorities alike. The government is actively monitoring the situation and has indicated that further preparedness measures may be necessary in the days to come. Local officials are urging residents to remain cautious, particularly in light of the dangers posed by potential aftershocks and landslides.
