Earthquakes rattle Guatemala

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) - A pair of moderate earthquakes rocked Guatemala late Monday, temporarily knocking out electricity and phone service and sending frightened residents spilling into the streets.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

A 5.6-magnitude tremor struck at 8:46 p.m. (0246 GMT) and lasted 19 seconds. It was followed by a 4.1-magnitude aftershock 16 minutes later.

The quakes were centered 68 miles (108 kilometers) south of Guatemala City in the Pacific Ocean, said Edy Sanchez, director of Guatemala's earthquake center.

Luz Emilia Gonzalez, a spokeswoman for the federal disaster response team, said authorities hadn't received any reports of injuries or serious damage, but that panicked residents fled homes and businesses in several cities across the country.

Both quakes were felt throughout all of Guatemala.

The first tremor was felt as far away as southern Mexico and caused residents to run into the streets in El Salvador.

Salvadoran authorities hadn't received reports of injuries or serious damage. - AP

For latest news from The AP Wire click here