Friday 09 January 2009, San José, Costa
Rica
13 Dead, Many More
Missing In Afternoon 6.2
Earthquake
40 Seconds of
Terror
Tourism Minister Assures
Safety of Visitors
Trapped In Earthquake
Zone
Panic in San José
San Jose Airport
Open
Gallery of Fotos
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Panic in San José
Thousands of people in
buildings small and
large in San José took
the streets yesterday
afternoon when the city
began shaking and
rolling, the effects of
the 6.2 earthquake in
nearby Alajuela.
It was shortly after
1.20pm when, feeling the
buildings move, the
furniture shaking and
light fixtures swaying
for almost a minute,
many decided to take to
the streets.
With tears and hugs all
was back to normal as
cellular phones began to
ring as family and
friends began contacting
each other to see that
everyone was fine.
Many forgot their
lunches, others ran into
the streets with shoes
in the hands. Those most
affected were workers in
the taller buildings of
the San José, like the
14 storey INS building
and the taller Banco
Nacional building.
A number has to be
treated by the Red Cross
for panic attacks.
Police closed off some
Calles and Avenidas in
fear of material falling
from buildings. The
afternoon tremor
practically brought San
José traffic to a
standstill and with good
reason, as a piece of
concrete came off the
Centro Colón building.
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