San Jose

First confirmed case of swine flu detected in Costa Rica

First confirmed case of swine flu detected in Costa Rica San Jose - Costa Rican authorities confirmed Tuesday the first case of swine flu in the country, which would also be the first in Central America. Costa Rican Health Minister Maria Luisa Avila said the life of the patient - a 21-year-old woman who lives in the San Jose metropolitan area - was not at risk. Doctors were following her progress and the health and that of her relatives, the minister said.

Gunmen steal cocaine cache from police evidence depot

Gunmen steal cocaine cache from police evidence depot San Jose  - Heavily armed gunmen stormed a police evidence facility Thursday in southern Costa Rica, making off with 320 kilogrammes of recently seized cocaine, authorities said Thursday.

The cocaine was originally been seized Sunday in Sirena in the Corcovado national park, in Costa Rica's southern Pacifico Sur region.

Five men armed with machine guns and revolvers struck early Thursday in Golfito, 300 kilometres south of San Jose, subduing two police officers guarding the facility.

Strong quake shakes Costa Rica

Strong quake shakes Costa RicaSan Jose - A quake measuring 6.3 on the Richter

Michael Schumacher shocked over Costa Rican earthquake damage

Michael Schumacher shocked over Costa Rican earthquake damageSan Jose, Costa Rica  - Former German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher was shocked and concerned over the extent of the damaged caused by last week's earthquake in Costa Rica.

The seven-times Formula One champion visited the region around Poas volcano, which were hit hardest together with Costa Rican Transport Minister Karla Gonzalez.

Schumacher is visiting the Central American state for a campaign to promote road safety.

Costa Rica quake killed 18, dozens remain missing

Costa Rica quake killed 18, dozens remain missing San Jose  - Rescue teams had found the bodies of 18 people killed in last week's earthquake in Costa Rica by Monday, while over 100 others who suffered injuries have been rescued.

The quake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale left a further 47 people missing, the Red Cross said Monday.

More than 1,300 people had to be taken to emergency accommodations in the area affected by the quake, 60 kilometres northwest of Costa Rican capital San Jose.

Belgian tourists fall 20 metres, survive quake

Belgian tourists fall 20 metres, survive quake San Jose  - A Belgian family survived a 20-metre plunge after a viewing platform from where they were admiring a waterfall collapsed as a strong earthquake shook Costa Rica.

Survivor Tina Soterr told Costa Rican daily La Nacion Friday that everything happened very fast at the La Paz waterfalls in the town of Cinchona.

She and her partner were enjoying the scenery with their two children, aged 4 and 9, when the structure collapsed. They survived and were treated for bruises and scratches.

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