Costa Rica earthquake death toll climbs; shaking continues and nerves remain frayed
The search for victims continues in Costa Rica in the aftermath of Thursday's 6.2-magnitude earthquake, which is believed responsible for as many as 34 deaths, according to CNN.
On Saturday, the Judicial Investigation Police released names of nine of the victims: Ana María Rodríguez Picado, Yitsi Tatiana Oliva Díaz, Maricela Argüello Díaz, Miguel Arteta Montoya, Roberto Jara Jiménez, Jeremy Alfaro Arias, Roberto Chavez Solis, Edwin Masis Villegas and Fabián Andrés Díaz Solis.
Forty-three people were still missing in the Vara Blanca and Cinchona areas, which are closest to the epicenter and about 20 miles northwest of the capital city of San Jose. Many residents are without water and there have been reports of looting in vacated areas.
The Tico Times quoted the tourism minister as saying many of the tourists stranded in the Vara Blanca area near the popular La Paz Waterfall Gardens left the area on foot. The newspaper added, "accounts from tourists that made it out described the elaborate and renowned gardens as 'totally destroyed,' and the hotel as seriously damaged."
From his home in San Jose, college student Francisco Quijano said in an interview that there was another aftershock this morning and that residents remained on edge.
Quijano said a large truck drove past his home late last night, causing the walls and floors to shake, "and my mother nearly had a heart attack."
Here's hoping for less shaking and a speedy return to normalcy. Outposts, again, offers heartfelt condolences to those who have suffered losses.
Photo: Fishermen ply the San Juan River in a dugout canoe. Credit: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times
I have a brother inlaw Peter Broekhuizen from the Netherlands stranded in Costa Rica somewhere. Please if there is any news of him email us. Family on both sides of the Atlantic are very worried.
tatiana@sio.midco.net
Posted by: Nina Broekhuizen | January 11, 2009 at 11:20 AM
My heart goes out to all the peaple affected by the quake, I just got back home to Oregon from paridise. I experianced the first quake wendsday morning of 4.2 mag. We were in Santa Anna.just outside San Jose. That one shook pretty good but only lasted about 4 seconds. We were on the plane coming home Thursday when the big one hit. My father inlaw said it splashed nearly all the water out of his pool and cracked several walls in his home but othereise faired ok. This is a beautiful country and beautiful people so don't let this detour any plans anybody may have of visiting....
Posted by: Dan Shaw | January 11, 2009 at 01:11 PM
We are scheduled to visit San Jose, Costa Rica at the end of this month.In view of the damage to this area is it prudent to delay visit?
Posted by: Neville Sender | January 11, 2009 at 01:46 PM
To Neville Sender:
I would not postpone your trip. We live in Costa Rica and the major damage is constrained to a small area near volcano Poas. While there were some cracked walls and windows elsewhere, that damage is minor. It isn't like the whole country is affected.
Posted by: Jim Lindelien | January 11, 2009 at 03:10 PM
Please, my daughter Elli Taylor and her friend Barbi flew in to San Jose from Colorado on Jan. 2. Their plans are to backpack and surf around Costa Rica. I was told I would get a call from them once they arrived, which I didn't-now this terrible situation. Please, if anyone knows of any news of them, or sees two college age, small blond backpackers-ask them their names and tell them to make immediate contact with their family. We are greatly concerned about their welfare. What a tremendous tragedy for the people of Costa Rica.
Posted by: Kim S. Taylor (Muness) | January 11, 2009 at 03:11 PM
the chances of two big earthquakes in a short time are almost nil.......the one hotel and gardens were damaged badly which is a shame - it was a real gem but nothing else tourist related has been affected. The country is still amazing - everyone who comes loves it. Just come and enjoy our beautiful country!
Posted by: Marlene Henderson | January 11, 2009 at 04:07 PM
I have not heard from my son Blake Taylor he is a student in Manuel Antonio Please advise if you have seen him since the quake. Thank You Tish Taylor
Posted by: tish taylor | January 11, 2009 at 04:07 PM
I would love to hear from Kendal Johnson just to know she is okay.
Posted by: Dixie | January 11, 2009 at 04:25 PM
My heart goes out to all who have been affected by this devastating earthquake. We were at the La Paz Waterfall gardens (the epicenter of the earthquake) when this happened. Unless people were down near the waterfall at the time this happened, the majority of the tourists in this area are alive. The most affected areas were near the La Poaz volcano and the La Paz waterfall gardens, north of san jose. There was very little damage in Costa Rica elsewhere. Anyone on near the ocean is fine. This was on the web when I googled costa rica earthquake hotline. Anyone attempting to connect with family members or friends traveling or living in the region should call the On Call International hotline: 800-576-5172. Or, they can call On Call International collect at 603-328-1924. Callers should have as much information as possible readily available at the time of call, including tour operator name, itineraries, hotel information, or cell phone numbers.
Posted by: Susan | January 11, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Please,
My girlfriend and her family are missing. Their names are Annaka Wickstrom, Serena Wickstrom, John Wickstrom, and Donna Wickstrom. If anyone has any word from any of these names please send an email to crawdak@yahoo.com. I am very worried.
Thank you,
Jeremy Craw
Posted by: Jeremy | January 11, 2009 at 05:30 PM
My son Eric Boisvert,from Quebec Canada arrived at Cosat Rica on Wednesday with his girl friend and her parents. I recieved an e-mail message from him on Thursday AM. I have not recieved any news since the earthquake. Please if anyone crosses his path tell him to send news. Thank-you
Posted by: Janet Malko | January 11, 2009 at 05:39 PM
Would love to hear from Eric Boisvert and his Girlfriend and her parents. Last heard from them on Thursday AM before the earthquake.All four are Canadians. Thank-you Janetmalko@vif.com
Posted by: Janet Malko | January 11, 2009 at 05:42 PM
I'm an ex-pat in Costa Rica and can say that, but for the area near the epicenter, things are returning to normal. A few jangled nerves, but that's about it for most folks. I'm still telling my friends & family that it's perfectly OK to visit.
Posted by: Bugs222 | January 11, 2009 at 08:08 PM
Si alguien sabe acerca de Raúl Jimenez que vivió en California y creo ahora en
San José por favor enviarme noticias,muy agradecido.
Posted by: Pedro Gustavo Florida | January 11, 2009 at 08:08 PM
Heading to Puntarenas on January 19th. I'm hoping all is well there because I have no plans on cancelling unless forced to.
Posted by: Scott | January 12, 2009 at 06:29 AM
My daughter Sarah Milone went to Costa Rica on Jan 1st on a backpacking trip with a friend of hers. Before the earthquake, I did receive two emails from her, but she said phone connections were very limited. Of course, all her family is very worried, but we are hoping for the best. She is supposed to be back in Illinois on January 14th. Does anyone know the conditions of flights coming back? If anyone has had contact with her, please email me at calsun@comcast.net.
Posted by: Laura Davis | January 12, 2009 at 06:29 AM
Laura,
I heard that they didn't even feel the earthquake on the Pacific coast, so I'm sure you shouldn't run into problems! What area of Puntarenas? i love the Nicoya Peninsula. I hope you have a lovely trip~
Claire
Posted by: claire | January 12, 2009 at 07:31 AM
we are looking for A.J. Marquez. He is traveling alone in costa rica. if anyone has heard from him can they contact us at bmfranzen606@aol.com. call home
Posted by: bridgette franzen | January 12, 2009 at 07:31 AM
For Tish Taylor: I live in Manuel Antonio. The quake here felt like nothing more than a 3.5 at best. Tish the cat, an excellent seismic barometer, didn't even run under my bed. I'm sure Blake is fine, as are all the other visitors who weren't in the immediate area of the quake, north of San Jose. So if you have loved ones in Costa Rica, please take a deep breath. The damage, while tragic, was very localized. All of the other major tourist areas, the Pacific beaches, Guanacaste, the Osa Peninsula, Monteverde, etc., reported no damage or injuries. Donations to help those who were effected by the quake can be made to the Costa Rican Red Cross and would be sincerely appreciated. Most of those who live around the epicenter had next to nothing before the quake. Don Baker
Posted by: don baker | January 12, 2009 at 07:32 AM
my uncle don roorener is vacationing in costa rica , we dont know his where abouts. if anyone knows please contact me . dennis maira 917-468-6632 or ddmaira @verizon.net. thank you
Posted by: dennis amira | January 12, 2009 at 07:32 AM
Hello, I am writing this message for all the people out of Costa Rica that have close people here in the country. Try to be calmed because at least in places near the beach in the pacific or the Caribbean coast, things are ok, it was a strong earthquake but basically those other places are ok. For the family that had their son in Jaco, don't worry that area is ok. Hope your family's will contact soon.
I live in SanJose, Costa Rica and if by any chance you contact your families and if they need help or orientation you can email me. silviam65@hotmail.com
Posted by: Marcela Jiménez | January 12, 2009 at 09:12 AM
Talked to my son who lives in the Tamirindo area, they did not feel the quake. I can not imagine any disruptions in air travel in or out of the country. Check with your carrier. I have been going to CR for 17 years just got back the 20th of Dec. This event while tragic has affected only a small area. I wish I were going back tomorrow. Go and enjoy the beautiful people and country. Say a prayer for the lost and suffering, send the Red Cross a check for the Costa Rican effort.
Posted by: Gerald King | January 12, 2009 at 09:25 AM
Janet-
I certainly don't want to get your hopes up, but I just read that four Canadians have called home after they were believed to be missing. Check out the story at...
www.ticotimes.net
Best of luck to you.
Posted by: Meredith | January 12, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Wanting to find out if Roger, "Mr.Costa Rica" and his family in San Jose are ok.
Roger please contact me.
Posted by: Virginia Luckey | January 12, 2009 at 10:51 AM
I am disappointed the news in Bloomington-Normal , Illinois did not have any coverage on Costa Rica's earthquake.
Posted by: william o'connor | January 12, 2009 at 10:51 AM