Earthquake shakes coasts of Costa Rica, two deaths reported

A magnitude-7.9 earthquake rocked Costa Rica Wednesday, 124 miles from the Soltis Center for Research and Education — a division of Texas A&M University.

Despite being located far from the epicenter, Eugenio Gonzalez Jimenez, director of the Soltis Center, said the quake was still felt, and even caused some minor damages to the Center.

“It was a really strong [earthquake], probably the strongest I’ve ever felt in my life,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzales said the damages caused to the Center were minor, and included damage to water lines, water heaters and small cracks in the columns and walls of the Academic Building, where classrooms and labs are located.

Gonzalez said a structural engineer would be called to inspect the integrity of the structure.

San Isidro, Costa Rica, home to the Soltis Center, is located on the outskirts of the Costa Rican capital of San Jose, where there was also damage reported, as well as two deaths.

Gonzalez said there were no injuries at the Center.