MANAGUA, Nicaragua – A magnitude 5.1 earthquake hit western Nicaragua near the capital Wednesday, causing at least one death, injuring five people and destroying some homes, authorities said.
Government spokeswoman Rosario Murillo said a 78-year-old woman in the town of Nagarote apparently died from fright of the temblor.
Five people were injured and at least six homes collapsed in La Paz Centro, the township closest to the epicenter, said Marcio Ocon, the Red Cross director in the region. Electrical power was knocked out in La Paz Centro.
The U.S. Geological Survey gave the magnitude as 5.1 and said the quake occurred at 10:49 a.m. The quake was centered about 27 miles (45 kilometers) northwest of Nicaragua's capital, Managua.
Murillo said the country is well-prepared to handle quakes and there had been no panic, but added that "there is nervousness because that is inevitable in these cases." She said there had been a dozen aftershocks.
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