7.2 Quake Hits Guam; 5 Injured, but No Major Damage Reported

HAGATNA, Guam —  A strong earthquake rocked Guam early today, knocking out electricity across the island and sending five residents to a hospital with cuts and bruises.

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.2 and was centered 30 miles southwest of Hagatna, the island capital, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It hit at 2:06 a.m. (9:06 a.m. PDT Friday) at a depth of 47 miles.

Guam Memorial Hospital reported minor damage to its building, and the quake shook loose water lines at the Guam International Airport, including one over the security screening area, delaying departure of some flights. The quake struck during a peak morning hour for international stopover flights.

Authorities began a visual assessment of damage at sunrise, according to the Civil Defense office. Preliminary checks of roads and bridges found no serious damage, authorities said.

Tim Quigley, 23, was dancing at a nightclub when the temblor hit.

“It started shaking and I just thought people were really dancing wild and getting into it,” he said. “But as it started shaking more and more, I was like--hold on--this ain’t no bass, this is an earthquake.”