Costa Rica earthquake: Damage and power outages after magnitude 6.0 quake hits close to Panama border

Costa Rica's National System for Monitoring Tsunamis ruled out a tsunami alert: USGS
Costa Rica's National System for Monitoring Tsunamis ruled out a tsunami alert: USGS

A strong earthquake shook southern Costa Rica near the border with Panama on Friday evening, knocking out power in places but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.

The US Geological Survey reported that the quake had a magnitude of 6.0 and struck at 5:22pm local time at a depth of about 12 miles.

Its epicentre was about 12 miles north of the town of Golfito.

​Ellery Quesada, a journalist with Channel 9 in Palmar Norte, near the epicentre, told The Associated Press that it was felt strongly in the region.

"We have reports that in Puerto Jimenez the power was out and some power poles toppled," Mr Quesada said by phone, adding that aftershocks were felt in the minutes afterward.

The USGS recorded at least one subsequent temblor of magnitude 4.9.

Costa Rica's National System for Monitoring Tsunamis ruled out a tsunami alert.

In neighbouring Panama, civil defence officials said via Twitter that the quake was felt strongly in the border provinces of Chiriqui and Bocas del Toro, but that there were no immediate reports of damage.

Panamanian media reported that it was felt at a stadium in the city of David where a youth baseball championship game was being played, but play was not halted.