Breaking News: Major Earthquake Strikes Southern California

Magnitude 6.8 Quake Causes Widespread Damage and Injuries

Multiple Buildings Collapse, Evacuations Ordered

A powerful earthquake struck Southern California at 11:15 AM PST, causing widespread damage and injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) estimates the magnitude at 6.8, with the epicenter located near Ridgecrest, California.

Multiple buildings have collapsed in the cities of Ridgecrest and Trona, including a hardware store and an apartment complex. The collapse of the apartment complex has resulted in at least one fatality, with multiple people reported trapped inside.

The earthquake has also caused power outages and gas leaks in the affected areas. Evacuations have been ordered for parts of Ridgecrest and Trona, as authorities assess the damage and search for survivors.

Ambulances and emergency response teams are on the scene, treating the injured and rescuing people from collapsed buildings. The full extent of the damage and injuries is still being determined.

The earthquake is the strongest to hit Southern California in years. It was felt across the region, including Los Angeles and San Diego.

The USGS has issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, but it has since been canceled.