Guatemala shaken by four earthquakes

GUATEMALA CITY -- A series of earthquakes shook the southeastern part of Guatemala on Monday afternoon, killing at least one person, authorities said.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported four temblors, the largest a 5.8 magnitude, within little more than two hours, all centered in an area about 30 miles southeast of the capital, Guatemala City.

The quakes shook most of the Central American country and caused a landslide on the highway to El Salvador near the epicenter of Cuilapa Santa Rosa that trapped at least one car, firefighters said.

Flor Escobar de Jesus, 28, died when a wall collapsed in her house, also in Cuilapa, said Mariano Luz, spokesman for the local volunteer fire department.

Rescuers were digging in the same house because of reports that two families might be missing, Luz said.

Crews trying to reach other villages where damage and causalities were reported were impeded by other landslides blocking roads, he said.

Public buildings were evacuated in the area and school classes canceled, authorities said.

The depths of the quakes varied 23 miles to 38 miles.

The first 4.8-magnitude temblor hit just after noon local time and the third of the same magnitude hit at about 1:20 p.m.

A fourth of 4.5-magnitude area reported south of the others at 2:30 p.m. local time.(20:30 GMT).

The depths of the quakes varied 23 miles to 38 miles.