Eight deaths have been reported in Guatemala. Current Situation - El Salvadoran President Francisco Flores declared a national emergency and appealed for international assistance soon after the earthquake occurred. As such, the El Salvadoran military is now taking the lead, with COEN working in parallel. The El Salvadoran military has established liaison officers within civilian agencies involved in the response. COEN also is providing information to the public regarding measures to prevent additional earthquake damage and loss of life.
Additional landslides are likely to occur as aftershocks continue.
Although there is damage in most areas in the southern and eastern half of the country, Consular Officers report business as usual in larger towns such as Santa Ana. Consular Officers report that the most intense and widespread damage is in Usulutan, where 20 of 23 municipalities are affected and water, power, and road access to municipalities are interrupted. Consular Officers report little damage in the northern third of the country. With ground transport improving, food distribution will improve in the near future. The military airport in Ilopango is the base of operation for humanitarian airlifts.