A 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck northwestern Costa Rica on Wednesday has claimed the lives of two people, the Red Cross said.

Sources say that one of the persons died from a heart attack.

The powerful quake occurred about 50 miles south of Liberia, Costa Rica, and was at a depth of 12.4 miles.

The quake was said to have caused the collapsing of some houses, blocking of highways and causing panic. 

Hojancha official Kenia Campos said the quake knocked down some houses and landslides blocked several roads.

"People were really scared," Campos said. "We have had moderate quakes but an earthquake (this strong) hadn't happened in more than 50 years."

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a Caribbean-wide tsunami watch as a precaution because "earthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Caribbean region."

The warning was later cancelled. 

No advisories were issued for the coast of the United States, but officials said they would continue to monitor Hawaii's risk and said a watch or warning could later be issued.

It has been reported that phones went down, electricity poles rattled on the streets and water flowed out of pools as the strong quake shook the earth. 

In January 2009, a 6.1 magnitude quake struck Costa Rica and killed 40 people.