7.4 magnitute earthquake off El Salvador coast: USGS

SAN SALVADOR: A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck in the Pacific off El Salvador late Monday, prompting a tsunami warning, US government agencies said.

The quake hit 170 kilometers southeast of the capital San Salvador, at a depth of 70 kilometers, the USGS said.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for coasts located within 300 kilometres of the epicenter.

The shaking of the earth was felt as far as the capital of Nicaragua, Managua, and other cities, but no immediate injuries or damage were reported, officials said.

Electricity and cell phone service in some areas were cut off.