The US Geological Survey said the 6.1-magnitude quake's epicentre was 22 miles north-west of the capital of San Jose, near the Poas Volcano national park.

The Red Cross said that a young girl was killed by a landslide unleashed by the quake near the city of Alajuela, north of the capital.

Local TV station Teletica showed broken windows, fallen ceiling panels and cracked walls in Alajuela. The quake was felt strongly throughout the small Central American country, Teletica said. Mobile phone service was interrupted briefly.

Thousands of people ran from homes and shopping centres, frightened by the quake. In the capital, women kneeled to pray in plazas. Others cried.

There were at least four aftershocks.