WASHINGTON A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.6 on the Richter scale shook central Bolivia early on Friday but there were no immediate reports of casualties, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Geological Survey said. Spokeswoman Kathleen Gohn said the quake took place at 12.48 a.m. local time (0448 GMT) and its epicentre was about 75 miles (120 km) east of Cochabamba, which is about 210 miles (340 km) east-south-east of La Paz. At this point we have received no reports of damage or casualties, said Gohn, adding that an earthquake in the same area of central Bolivia in September 1958 had caused some casualties.

Quakes of force six on the Richter scale can be powerful enough to cause widespread damage in a heavily populated area. (Reuter)