Guatemala declared a temporary halt to classes in and around Guatemala City on Wednesday following a powerful earthquake that registered 5.7 on the Richter scale. The earthquake, which hit on Tuesday afternoon, occurred about 10 miles southwest of the capital and has reportedly led to at least two deaths due to landslides, as per local news.
The national disaster agency has reported that the seismic activity caused additional landslides that resulted in the destruction of various structures. Emergency reports indicated that a boulder fell onto a vehicle, leading to the fatalities, with firefighters confirming the tragic incidents but getting no immediate comments from local officials.
Following the quake, which affected a city home to approximately three million residents, the Guatemalan government swiftly announced the suspension of classes at educational institutions, alongside the closure of non-essential services and businesses in the area. It has also been reported that the Finance Ministry remained shut down for assessments of potential structural damages.
President Bernardo Arévalo addressed the media, stating that preliminary evaluations revealed damages to infrastructure, highways, and residential buildings. He clarified that the earthquake was not associated with volcanic activity, despite the country being renowned for its geological volatility.
As recovery efforts continue, families and individuals affected by the natural disaster are receiving attention, while steps are being taken to assess and repair the damage caused by this alarming seismic event.
