Capital Devastated

In 1972 Nicaragua was bracing for possible aftershocks to an earthquake measuring 5.9 degrees on the Richter scale that killed four people, injured at least 45 and caused widespread damage southeast of the capital, according to police. Then Nicaragua suffered a devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake on December 23, 1972 that practically leveled Managua killing around 10,000 people, injuring 20,000 and leaving another 30,000 homeless.