Strong Earthquake Rocks Guam;
A Few Minor Injuries Reported

Fri Apr 26, 3:06 PM ET


HAGATNA, Guam - A strong earthquake registering a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 rocked Guam early Saturday, knocking out electricity across the island and slightly injuring five people.

Five people went to Guam Memorial Hospital for treatment of minor cuts and bruises, officials said. The hospital reported minor damage to its building, but there were no immediate reports of major damage.

A preliminary assessment of damage would not begin until daylight, according to John Ryan, a spokesman for the governor's office.

Police have been asked to make visual inspections of bridges, he said.

No Pacific-wide tsunami warning was in effect, said Joe Javellana, Civil Defense acting administrator.

The quake was centered 30 miles (50 kilometers) southwest of Hagatna, the island capital, at a depth of 47.5 miles (76.5 kilometers), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It struck at 2:06 a.m. (16:06 GMT Friday).

Tim Quigley, 23, of Dededo, was dancing on the stage at The Globe nightclub when the temblor hit.

"It started shaking and I just thought people were really dancing wild and getting into it," he said. "But as it started shaking more and more, I was like — hold on — this ain't no bass, this is an earthquake."

Guam is located 3,800 miles (6,100 kilometers) west of Hawaii.