6.5 magnitude earthquake jolts Nicaragua, minor damage only

MANAGUA: A 6.5-magnitude earthquake jolted several towns along Nicaragua's Pacific coast Saturday, rattling buildings but causing
only minor damage.

The earthquake struck at 11:34 am (1734 GMT), 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of the capital Managua in the Pacific at a depth of 36 kilometers, the US Geological Survey said.

Nicaragua said it was followed by about 10 aftershocks measuring between
3.6 and 5.3 in magnitude.

An 81-year-old man was the only reported casualty. He died of cardiac
arrest, apparently succumbing to the temblor that lasted several seconds, according to the president of the national disaster response agency, SINAPRED, Guillermo Gonzalez.

He said some buildings suffered cracks, including the offices of the
Ministry of Development, Industry and Trade.