6.8 Earthquake strikes San Juan in Argentina

SANAA, Jan. 19 (YPA) – A powerful earthquake struck in northwestern Argentina near the border with central Chile late Monday, shaking people in parts of both countries.

The US Geological Survey said the tremor had a preliminary magnitude of 6.4. Its epicenter was 27.6 kilometers (17 miles) southwest of the town of Portico and struck at a depth of 14 kilometers (nearly nine miles).

The quake was followed a magnitude 5.0 aftershock about a quarter-hour later, the USGS added.

There were no early reports of injuries as some power outages were reported in the quake area.

E.M