.LOS ANGELES (AP) – The strongest earthquake to strike a populated area of Southern California in more than a decade rattled windows and chandeliers, made buildings sway and sent people running into the streets on Tuesday. But there were no immediate reports of serious injuries or major damage.
The 5.4-magnitude quake – considered moderate – was felt from Los Angeles to San Diego, and as far east as Las Vegas, 230 miles away. Nearly 30 aftershocks quickly followed, the largest estimated at 3.8.
The quake was centered 29 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles near Chino Hills, a San Bernardino County city of 80,000 built mostly in the early 1990s with the latest in earthquake-resistant technology.
Buildings swayed in downtown Los Angeles for several seconds, leading to the evacuation of some offices.
“I’m still shaking. My knees are wobbling. I thought the building might collapse,” said Rosana Martinez, 50, an employee of California National Bank in downtown Los Angeles.