A strong earthquake has struck off El Salvador's Pacific coast, sending people running from buildings in this Central American nation and in neighbouring Guatemala.
Civil protection officials in both countries said there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
The earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.9, was centred 51 km southwest of the Salvadoran town of Sonsonate, and 76 km west of the capital, San Salvador, according to the US Geological Survey.
"In Sonsonate, people were really scared and ran out into the street, but thank God there were no injuries," said Carlos Lopez, spokesman for El Salvador's Red Cross.
AP