SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, Jan. 8, 2009

Girl Dies In Costa Rica Quake

Residents Panic As 6.1 Quake Shakes Central American Nation; Girl Killed In Landslide

  •  (AP / CBS)

(AP)  A strong earthquake shook Costa Rica on Thursday, killing a child and sending frightened residents running into the streets of the capital as windows shattered and walls cracked.

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 6.1-magnitude temblor was centered 22 miles northwest of the capital of San Jose in the early afternoon, near the Poas Volcano national park.

The Red Cross said in a statement that a young girl, who hasn't yet been identified, was killed by a landslide unleashed by the quake near the city of Alajuela, north of the capital.

Local TV station Teletica showed broken windows, fallen ceiling panels and cracked walls in Alajuela. The quake was felt strongly throughout the small Central American country, Teletica said. Cell phone service was interrupted briefly.

Thousands of people ran from homes and shopping centers, frightened by the quake. In the capital, women kneeled to pray in plazas. Others cried.

There were at least four aftershocks.

© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by judgejrc January 9, 2009 2:44 AM EST
It still trembling in Costa Rica, OVSICORI http://www.ovsicori.una.ac.cr/ reports more than 1000 aftershocks. In the Poas Volcano has reactivated a seismic swarm.
The biggest problem was the nervousness of the people, while in Costa Rica we are accustomed to feel tremors every week

Ing. Jorge A. Rodrmguez Cabrera http://judgejrc.hi5.com

May God help us all.
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by freddyd111 January 8, 2009 11:45 PM EST
I am Costarican, I was at work and suddenly it all started to shake, we all ran outside looking for a safe spot, then we all headed out to see our families. The local TV shows aerial views of huge landslides near Poas Volcano, a river found a new path throught the mountains carrying logs and tons of mud, several roads are blocked or cut, broken and semi-buried homes and cars. We''re so lucky the epicenter was not closer to the cities.
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by swingset4u January 8, 2009 11:14 PM EST
Headline should read: Girl Dies In Costa Rica Quake along with thousands of other children in unrelated events.

MY GAWD CBS do you people love to spew crappola all the time????
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by excoachken January 8, 2009 10:26 PM EST
Of all the places we have traveled, none can compare to Costa Rica for the sweetness of it''s people. Each child is valued as a precious gift by the deeply religious and helpful citizens. I hope her family is able to overcome the grief that they must feel.
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by of11of January 8, 2009 9:26 PM EST
bless that young grl and all who are experienceing difficulty in this trajic time for these people
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by of11of January 8, 2009 9:23 PM EST
..and i dont support bush or his cronies. ahhhahaha
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by of11of January 8, 2009 9:22 PM EST
au_fait -
u truly are a sick individual..
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by lemonskink January 8, 2009 9:20 PM EST
If Bush could unleash a quake, well yes, then it would be his fault. He loves death.
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by mediai11ness January 8, 2009 8:12 PM EST
I have friends down there on a cultural exploration, I hope they are ok as well as the natives :(
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