6.1 magnitude quake, aftershocks shake northwest Nicaragua

A strong 6.1 magnitude earthquake and at least four major aftershocks shook northwestern Nicaragua on Thursday night, triggering panic among residents and damaging some homes, officials said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The quake struck at 9:25 PM (03:25 AM GMT), centred 17km east of Puerto Morazan near the Honduras border at a depth of 10km, according to the United States Geological Survey.

It was followed by four weaker aftershocks over the course of about an hour, USGS said.