By Martin Asturias and Herbert Hernandez
GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - A strong 6.1 magnitudeearthquake struck off the Pacific coast of Guatemala on Monday,sending residents into the streets in panic but there were noimmediate reports of major damage or injuries.
"We all ran into the street because the quake wouldn'tstop. We were very scared," said Flory de Estrada, 32, aresident of the southern city of Escuintla.
The quake shook homes in the capital for up to a minute andresidents in the city of about 2 million people reportedpaintings fell from walls. Small landslides hit rural roads,Guatemalan radio reported.
An earthquake of 6.1 is capable of causing severe damagebut the fire department said the worst initial damage reportedwas cracks in eight houses in the department of San Marcos.
USGS reported the quake was at a depth of 49.4 miles (79.5km). Radio stations reported electricity blackouts in GuatemalaCity and Escuintla.
The quake struck at 9:03 p.m. (4:03 a.m. British time onTuesday) with an epicentre 45 miles (73 km) south-southeast ofEscuintla, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
(Editing by Jackie Frank)
