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This article was first published on the 7th of January 2020 by Patrick Carpen.
Last updated: January 7, 2020 at 23:22 pm
People camp out in open spaces far away from buildings that have the potential to collapse since a series of aftershocks is expected.
The once magnificent Caribbean Island of Puerto Rico has been plunged into a state of emergency after it has been struck by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake just before daybreak on the morning of Tuesday, 7th of January 2020.
“We’ve never been exposed to this kind of emergency in 102 years,” Gov. Wanda Vázquez
There has been at least one reported fatality – a 73 year old man – who was killed after being struck by a collapsing wall. Many people are afraid to return to their homes, and Gov. Wand Vasquez has cautioned them not to as there are expected to be a series of aftershocks.
Residents are seeking refuge in their cars parked in open areas and public parking lots. In addition to that, the authorities are working to put up tents in open areas far away from buildings that have the potential to collapse.
The earthquake struck at about 8 KM south of Indios, Puerto Rico at a depth of about 10 KM. Since the quake is very shallow, it is expected to affect a radius of 130 KM from its epicenter. An estimated 3.26 million people live within this radius.
