A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Honduras in the early hours of yesterday morning, killing six people and injuring a dozen people. At least four of the people killed were children between the ages 3 and 15.

The 7.1 magnitude tremor seriously damaged a bridge and dozens of houses and blocked some roads.

The epicentre was out in to sea, to the north of the Caribbean island of Roatan. But the tremor was felt as far away as Mexico. It is said to be the strongest earthquake to hit Honduras in ten years.

Departments which were heavily affected include San Pedro Sula, Atlántida, Yoro, Cortés, Lempira, Santa Bárbara, Comayagua and Colón.

The initial tremor lasted for around 40 seconds and aftershocks were felt in the following hours.

Caritas is currently assessing its plan of action. In many cases, Caritas is active in the long-haul period of recovery following natural disasters in which it provides aid and moral support to people who have been affected.

Last year, Caritas President, Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga, himself a Honduran national, was presented with an award by the Peruvian Government in recognition of his work to help those affected by Peru’s 2007 earthquake.

For more information, please contact Michelle Hough on +39 06 69879721/+39 334 2344136 or hough@caritas.va