In San Marcos, west of the capital, serious damage was done to the Palacio Maya (Maya Palace) built in 1942 as well as to the Quetzal hall, mayor Carlos Barrios told local media.

"These architectural jewels simply gave way to the earthquake. All we can do is remember how well they served us," he said.

In the western city of Quetzaltenango, 19th-century buildings were damaged by widening major cracks, as were historical buildings in Suchitepequez in the south, officials said.

In Solola, west of the capital, at least 10 Spanish-colonial era churches were damaged by the quake. Authorities have yet to inspect most of the damaged buildings to determine if they can be repaired or have to be demolished.

Some 16,000 people were affected by the 7.4 magnitude quake off Guatemala's Pacific coast, this country's most violent seismic event since 1976 when almost 23,000 people perished in an earthquake.

The World Food Programme, meanwhile, was distributing eight tons of food to families who lost their homes in the quake.

"We are doing everything needed to support the Guatemalan government and to help people who are in shelters to help with their basic food needs," said local WFP representative Guy Gauvreau of Canada.