Powerful quake shakes Caribbean, one dead

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2007

FORT DE FRANCE, Martinique (AFP) — A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook several Caribbean holiday islands, destroying buildings and killing at least one person and causing widespread panic.

Thousands of residents fled their homes on the French island of Martinique and in Barbados after the earthquake struck late Thursday.

The quake, which was felt as far as Venezuela and the US territory of Puerto Rico, left at least two people injured in Martinique, while Barbados' emergency services chief was hurt while helping the population, police said.

One third of Martinique and thousands in Guadeloupe lost electricity.

One elderly woman died after suffering a heart attack in the panic of the moment in Martinique, security officials said.

The US...