Major Earthquake Rocks Honduras

Early report have four people listed as dead after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked Honduras. Dozens have been reported to have been injured as the quake shook the nation early Thursday morning.

The 7.3 magnitude earthquake's was under the Caribbean Sea. There were tsunami warnings in Honduras, Belize and Guatemala according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The tsunami alert was discontinued after 90 minutes. The quake happened at 3:24 a.m. at 130 kilometers (80 miles) north-northeast of Le Ceiba, Honduras, the U.S. Geological Survey said, putting the magnitude at 7.1 with a depth of 10 kilometers. Bloomberg reports:

“There is a possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than 100 kilometers from the earthquake epicenter,” the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on its Web site. “A widespread destructive tsunami threat does not exist.”

Honduras will temporarily close the country's main port of Puerto Cortes due to earthquake, the national according to the Port Authority. Many buildings in the city of San Pedro Sula have been badly damaged. There has been serious damage to the Democracy Bridge. The bridge, built in 1957, spans across the Ulua River. People of the resort island of Roatan have been urged to keep away from the shore. The island is without power. Minor damages have been reported. AP reports:

"It was an earthquake of great proportions that was felt in almost the entire country," said Ana Maria Rivera, spokeswoman for the emergency commission.

The government is urging the people to remain calm using radio broadcasts.