7.1 Quake Strikes off Honduras, Triggers Tsunami Fears

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Honduras early on Thursday morning. Though, no damage was immediately reported the seismic jolts sent people running in the streets across northern Honduras and as far away as Guatemala.

The US Geological Survey says the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter was some 130 kilometers northeast of La Ceiba, Honduras.

The Pacific tsunami warning center says a tsunami watch is in effect in Honduras, Belize and Guatemala.

A stadium wall reportedly collapsed in Puerto Cortez, on the Caribbean coast while a major bridge across the Ulua River sustained extensive damage in the northern town of El Progreso, say media reports.