The quake occurred at 3.03am local time (10.03am BST) off the coast of the small Central American country. The epicentre was in the Pacific Ocean, some 17 miles (27 km) south-southeast of the port of La Libertad, the US Geological (USGS) said. The earthquake measured at 6.6 magnitude and struck at a depth of just over 40 miles (65km), the USGS said.

Is there a tsunami warning in place?

El Salvador’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN), tweeted that risk of a small tsunami and possible landslides are present.

Their official report says: “Based on the characteristics of the earthquake, the MARN estimates that variations in sea level of up to 30 centimetres could be recorded in the Salvadoran coast.

“The speed of the marine currents could be increased by several hours or days.”

MARN has also advised those in the area not to enter the sea for at least four hours while the threat is assessed.

Authorities said there were no initial reports of significant damage.

El Salvador’s Civil Defense agency said on Twitter that according to an initial assessment of the country, the earthquake had not had a “serious or generalised” impact.

It added the sea around La Libertad was normal, and said: “Monitoring of the entire country reflects that there has not been grave or widespread damage.”

The US Tsunami Warning System said there was no warning in place for the coast of the western United States.

But aftershocks remain a threat, with seven recorded between magnitude 4.1 and 5.0 since the initial strike.

The earthquake was felt strongly in the capital, San Salvador.

People left their homes with flashlights, and power was knocked out in at least some areas.

Firefighters said they were monitoring various areas but did not report any damage or injuries.

Classes were cancelled in coastal areas as a precaution.

One resident wrote on social media that it had been “frightening”, and “several things broke in my house”.

The most recent deadly earthquake in El Salvador occurred in 2001, when a magnate 7.7 killed around 1,000 people.

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