Strong quake jolts Argentina, kills woman in northwest

BUENOS AIRES, Sept 7 (AFP) - A strong earthquake shook much of central and northern Argentina Tuesday, killing a woman and sparking widespread evacuations of public buildings.
The quake -- measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, according to the US Geological Survey -- struck just before 9:00 am (1200 GMT) rattling 11 of Argentina`s 24 provinces including Catamarca, Chaco, Cordoba, Entre Rios, La Rioja, Santa Fe and Tucuman. Aftershocks were also reported in Buenos Aires where tremors could be felt in highrises.
In addition to the death of the woman in the city of Catamarca, many minor injuries were reported as moldings and architectural details broke off buildings and tumbled to the ground in affected provinces.
Catamarca governor Eduardo Brizuela told local media damage to homes was widespread.
Many people unaccustomed to earthquakes panicked and darted down stairwells. The woman who died lost her balance on a stairwell and fell to her death during the temblor.