An earthquake report from the Nicaraguan government caused some confusion  Wednesday, January 21.


Nicaragua’s Institute of Territorial Studies reported a 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck at 3:32 AM local time, 75 miles northwest of Tonala, Mexico, placing the epicenter in the border area between that nation and Guatemala.

French wire servicer AFP picked up the story,  as did BBC and Sky News, citing the organization for what would be a major earthquake in the region.


The United States Geological Survey (USGS) however disputed the accuracy of the report, saying that their instrumentation recorded the quake at a much smaller 4.9 magnitude. No reports of injury or damage have been reported.

 

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