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Death Toll in El Salvador Earthquake over 237
A powerful new earthquake struck El Salvador on Tuesday, killing more than 237 people and injuring about 1,700 as it flattened homes, schools and churches.
The 6.6-magnitude quake came one month to the day after one of 7.6 magnitude killed at least 844 people and left thousands homeless in the tiny Central American nation of 6.2 million.
The quake struck at 8:22 am (9:22 am EST/1422 GMT) as many Salvadoreans were on their way to work. Thousands of others rushed into the streets when the ground started shaking.
Many of the casualties were in three districts close to the capital of San Salvador - La Paz, Cuscatlan and San Vicente. The National Emergency Committee said late Tuesday the death toll had risen to 237 with 1,700 injured.
The quake destroyed houses in the town of San Vicente, some 40 miles (60 km) east of the capital, according to Public Works Minister Jose Angel Quiroz.
"There are about 200 (collapsed) houses where people are buried," Quiroz told a local radio station.
Authorities imposed an overnight curfew starting at 7 p.m. in the quake-hit areas to avoid looting.
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