Guatemalans huddle in streets after quake kills 52

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A magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Guatemala has killed at least 48 people and left dozens of others missing. NBCNews.com's Alex Witt reports.By NBC News wire servicesUpdated 5:25 p.m. ET

SAN MARCOS, Guatemala — Guatemalans fearing aftershocks huddled in the dark and frigid streets of this mountain town wrapped in blankets early Thursday, while others crowded inside its hospital, the only building left with electricity after a powerful earthquake killed at least 52 people and left dozens more missing.

Crews worked through the night in San Marcos, searching rubble for survivors and more dead following the magnitude 7.4 quake that struck Wednesday near Guatemala's border with Mexico.

Local Red Cross chief Carlos Enrique Alvarado told Reuters 75 homes were destroyed in San Marcos alone and authorities said damage to the prison forced them to transfer 101 inmates to another jail. Officials told The Associated Press that most of 100 missing were from San Marcos.




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