6.2 quake shakes Costa Rica

A magnitude 6.2 quake has struck off the coast of Costa Rica, the US Geological Survey says.

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 38.8 km, 67 km southwest of the capital San Jose at 10.16pm (10.16am NZT).

There was no tsunami warning issued for the Pacific.

Red Cross spokesman Freddy Roman says the quake "was felt very strongly" at several of the agencies' offices.

San Jose residents told Reuters they felt only minor shaking in buildings.

Local television stations interrupted their programming and received calls from viewers frightened by the quake.

The national emergencies commission said it had no reports of deaths, serious injuries or bad damage to infrastructure, Reuters reported.

"The only reports we have for now are things falling over. There are no reports of impact on infrastructure or the electricity network or to water supply," president Vanessa Rosales told Reuters. "Neither are there any reports of deaths or injuries."

- NZHERALD STAFF, AP