Guatemala assesses damages following deadly earthquake

(Vatican Radio) Guatemalans are counting the cost of the strongest earthquake to hit the country since 1976.

The most affected area is San Marcos State, close to Mexico's Southern Border. Guatemala's President Otto Perez Molina who has been to the shattered region, has already declared a National State of Emergency and three days of mourning. He's also advising and urging that public buildings and homes affected by the quake must remain evacuated as structural damage as well as instability, could well worsen with aftershocks.

The death toll, which has surpassed fifty is likely to continue rising as more people are still unaccounted for. The country's Armed Forces are issuing thousands of emergency rations, and structural experts are now assessing the damage to buildings as well as highways.

This quake was felt as far north as Mexico City and throughout most of Central America. It shows the seismic vulnerability of the region and is testing the emergency responses of Guatemala.

Listen to the full report by regional correspondent James Blears: