1 dead as earthquake hits northwest Argentina

An earthquake measuring 5.9 in magnitude shook Argentina's northwest province of Salta on Saturday, killing one people and leveling buildings, according to local police.

The earthquake took place in El Galpon, Salta at around 8:33 am local time (1133 GMT) with the epicenter in 123 km from Salta's capital city, according to Argentina's National Seismic Prevention Institute.

So far only one fatality has been reported. According to local online media Infobae, a woman died when a wall collapsed on her during the 15-second quake.

The earthquake also destroyed homes and schools, and many have lost everything in the quake, Hector Romero, a local official, told the radio station Cadena 3.

The earthquake was also felt in the provinces of Tucuman, Jujuy, Santiago del Estero and neighboring Paraguay reported the quake was felt in their capital of Asuncion, according to local media.

Source: XINHUA