Magnitude 5.2 Earthquake Jolts parts of Northern Honduras and Southern Belize, No Damage Reported

A magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck the Gulf of Honduras early this morning, causing strong shaking across parts of northern Honduras and southern Belize, but with no major damage reported so far.  According to preliminary information, the quake occurred at approximately eight minutes past midnight, Belize time, and had a shallow depth of about 6.9 kilometers, a factor that contributed to the tremor being widely felt across the region. Residents in southern Belize and the Belize District reported noticeable rattling, while similar effects were felt in neighboring areas of Honduras.  Emergency authorities have not reported any injuries or significant structural damage at this time. Monitoring agencies continue to assess the situation.  Officials say further updates will be issued if additional information becomes available.