This bulletin is being issued for information only. An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale hit the Caribbean coast of Honduras on 28 May 2009. This information bulletin no. 2 includes updated information on the damage assessments carried out by Honduran authorities and the Honduran Red Cross. The Honduran Red Cross (HRC) has drawn up a request for DREF funding to carry out relief activities.

Tremors were also felt in Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala; assessments are being carried in Belize where the village of Monkey River on the northern coast and the Stann Creek district in Placencia have sustained damage. However, it is not expected that external assistance will be required for the National Societies of Belize, El Salvador and Guatemala.

The Situation

An earthquake struck the eastern Caribbean coast of Honduras at 2:24 a.m. on 28 May, at a depth of 10 km. The epicentre was located near the island of Roatan. The Permanent Commission of Contingencies, (COPECO) issued a green alert throughout the country and reported a 4.8 replica which occurred at 9:06 a.m. A tsunami alert was issued by COPECO, but was later lifted. According to latest information provided by COPECO and other agencies carrying out damage assessments, 5 people have been declared dead, 10 are injured, 10 houses were destroyed and 50 are seriously damaged in the northern part of the country, mainly in El Progreso, La Lima and San Pedro Sula. Reports from local authorities indicate that country-wide 6 people have died, 25 have been injured and 150 houses have been affected in different locations of the country. In addition, 2 bridges have been destroyed, 2 public buildings have been damaged and other infrastructure such as a stadium, a courthouse and churches have sustained minor damages.

In Belize, at approximately 2:24 a.m. almost the entire country was shaken by very strong tremors. The National Fire Department sounded alarms shortly after the tremors were experienced throughout the country. The most affected area is the village of Monkey River, located on the northern coast of the country.

The Belize Red Cross Society also indicates that in Placencia, in the Stann Creek district, one house was partially submerged in the ground. Streets have large fissures and several water leakages have been reported due to broken underground pipes. In Mango Creek, in the Stann Creek District which has an approximate population of 3,000 habitants, many of whom are children, five houses collapsed and the water reservoir collapsed, leaving the village without water for a brief period of time. In Toledo, BRCS volunteers reported that seven houses have collapsed and there is structural damage. There are no further details on the level of affectation at the moment, since preliminary assessments are ongoing.

In Guatemala, radio broadcasts informed that the earthquake was felt through the entire territory. The Governor of Izabal Province reported that 35 houses were destroyed in 3 villages, while 88 others were damaged. School classes have been cancelled in this province.

No damages or losses have been reported in other areas of the country. The National Coordination for Disaster Reduction (Coordinacion Nacional para la Reducción de Desastres - CONRED) sent an Immediate Emergency Response Team to Izabal Province to verify the information.

In El Salvador, tremors were also felt due to the earthquake of 28 May, but no major damages have occurred.