Powerful quake jolts Costa Rica

San Jose, Jan 9 (IANS) A powerful earthquake measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale rocked northern Costa Rica late Thursday night, but there were no reports of any casualty, EFE news agency reported Friday.

The epicentre of the quake was near Poas volcano in Alajuela province, about 60 km northwest of San Jose, said Juan Segura, the head of Costa Rica's Ovisicori Seismology Institute.

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The quake struck at around 1:19 p.m. and was felt throughout the country, Segura said and added that the tremor was followed by a number of aftershocks which will continue 'for up to months'.

Costa Rican television broadcast images of buildings in San Jose and Alajuela city with cracks and broken windows, while reports of damage to homes came in from a number of communities.

Thursday's earthquake was the result of a series of mini-temblors around Poas volcano, the official said, adding that there was no sign of volcanic activity.

Authorities in neighboring Nicaragua said the quake was felt in parts of their territory, but did not cause any damage or injuries.