Earthquake in Costa Rica: SOS children safe

A powerful earthquake in central Costa Rica has left at least 19 people dead. The 6.1-magnitude quake happened on Thursday at Poas Volcano National Park north of the capital, San Jose.The earthquake lasted eight minutes and was felt nationwide, causing landslides and widespread damage to buildings.

At the SOS Children's Village Tres Ríos the community remained calmed. Several children were playing outside but were unhurt and resumed their games quickly. Five SOS family houses in Santa Ana suffered some minor damage to their walls.

In the rest of the country, many buildings, lamp posts, dams, tunnels, bridges, aqueducts and highways suffered major damage. There were also reports of car accidents, flash floods, landslides and flooding. It has been reported that some communities are now completely cut off, and in several areas people are trapped in hotels, tunnels and houses. The main routes into and out of San Jose were blocked and some streets have been closed by the police. The airport and main hospitals were closed for a few hours to assess damages and elective surgeries were suspended.

In Nicaragua and El Salvador, strong tremors also were felt. Fortunately, all SOS families, staff and projects are safe.

To help us continue our work in Costa Rica, why not
Sponsor a Child