Magnitude 5 earthquake shakes St. Lucia; no immediate reports of damage, injuries

December 8, 2014December 8, 2014 News Room

Castries, St Lucia one of the cities where the earthquake was felt - Panoramio picture courtesy MHCharlton - http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6966379 — Castries, St Lucia one of the cities where the earthquake was felt – Panoramio picture courtesy MHCharlton – http://www.panoramio.com/photo/6966379

CASTRIES, St. Lucia _ A magnitude-5.0 earthquake has rattled St. Lucia’s capital and surrounding areas, causing alarm but no reported damage or injuries on the Eastern Caribbean island.

The U.S. Geological Survey said Sunday’s earthquake was centred 47 miles (76 kilometres) east-southeast of the country’s capital of Castries.

It struck at a depth of 22 miles (36 kilometres).

Some residents of Castries ran out of their homes and lingered outdoors for a few minutes, fearing aftershocks. But police say there were no immediate reports of damage.

The Eastern Caribbean is a seismically active area with hundreds of earthquakes occurring annually.