The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami alert for coastlines from Mexico to Chile, after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck 8 kilometers off the coast of Costa Rica.

The quake hit close to Samara, a coastal area on the Pacific some 151 kms from the capital, San Jose. Some parts of the capital have lost power, but so far, no casualties have been reported.

The Tsunami Warning Center released a statement, saying "earthquakes of this size have the potential to generate a widespread destructive tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Caribbean region."

The last major earthquake in Costa Rica was a 6.1 magnitude quake in 2009, which killed 40 people, according to the USGS.

Chile's Navy also issued a tsunami alert.