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GUATEMALA CITY – A magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit off Guatemala’s Pacific coast on Thursday, shaking much of the country and neighbouring El Salvador. Local officials said there were initial reports of only minor damage.

The Geological Survey said the 8:31 a.m. EDT quake was centred about 38 kilometres southwest of Puerto San Jose and 10 kilometres below the surface.

The quake sent people fleeing into the streets in El Salvador.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales sent tweets urging people to remain calm and saying the government was collecting information about possible damage.

The spokesman for Guatemala’s national disaster agency, Julio Sanchez, said there did not appear to be any injuries and said damage appeared to be minor. Local news media showed images of damage to some adobe-walled homes and small cracks in old buildings.

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