Moderate Quake Rattles Nicaragua, No Casualties

MANAGUA (Reuters) - A moderate earthquake shook the Pacific coast of Nicaragua on Monday evening, causing temporary panic on the streets, but authorities said there were no initial reports of casualties or damage.

The tremor, which registered 5.7 on the Richter scale, hit at 9:47 p.m. local time, the institute of territorial studies (Ineter) said.

Ineter estimated the epicenter was at the town of Masachapa on the Pacific coast, about 73 miles south of the capital, Managua, and at a depth of 16 miles beneath the surface.

Emergency services reported no serious damage.

Mild tremors are common in Nicaragua, particularly on the Pacific coast, where they can occur as a result of friction between the Cocos and Caribbean tectonic plates.

Earthquakes of around five on the Richter scale are capable of causing some damage in populated areas.