Earthquake hits off Panama coast, no damage reports

(reuters.com ) PANAMA CITY - A magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean near Panama on Wednesday but authorities said they had no initial reports of damage.

"We are monitoring the situation. For now there is no damage," Arturo Alvarado De Icaza, the head of Panama's civil defense agency, told Reuters.

The epicenter of the quake was 111 miles south of the city of David and at a depth of 6.2 miles, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

Residents in the capital Panama City, about 200 miles from David, said they did not feel any movement.

There was no immediate tsunami warning in the area.

A quake of magnitude 6 or above is considered strong and capable of causing severe damage in populated areas.

(Reporting by Sean Mattson; Editing by John O'Callaghan)

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Original Source: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE59L0BF20091022
Date Retrieved: October 22, 2009