Tragic Landslide in Guatemala Claims Lives Amid Series of Quakes

Guatemala City, Jul 9 (AP) — In a tragic incident in Guatemala, two individuals lost their lives when enormous rocks fell onto their vehicle, a consequence of the numerous earthquakes recorded over a span of just a few hours, according to local authorities.

The unfortunate victims, both men, were inside a pickup truck traveling along a local road in the department of Escuintla on Tuesday when rocks tumbled down from a hillside, crushing the vehicle, firefighters reported.

On Tuesday afternoon alone, Guatemala experienced more than 37 earthquakes and aftershocks, with magnitudes spanning from 3.0 to 5.6, as noted by Edwin Rodas, the director of the National Institute for Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology.

The seismic activity was so intense that tremors were also felt in neighboring El Salvador. The quakes led to the evacuation of numerous buildings, caused landslides, and resulted in minor property damage, authorities stated.

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, mentioned that the primary epicenter of these quakes was located in the department of Sacatepequez, with subsequent aftershocks impacting the regions of Escuintla and the Guatemala department.

President Arevalo further reported that at least five people had been buried by landslides, with two individuals already rescued at the time of the report.

The National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction raised an orange alert, indicating the second-highest level on their emergency scale.

According to the US Geological Survey, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake was first recorded 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southwest of Amatitlan, just south of Guatemala City, at 3:11 pm local time, with a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles). This was followed by a more significant quake of 5.7 magnitudes occurring 3 kilometers (2 miles) northwest of San Vicente Pacaya, in the south-central region of Escuintla. Another quake, registering a 4.8 magnitude, was noted 6 kilometers (4 miles) northwest of Palín in Escuintla. (AP)