SAN JOSE, Costa Rica--A powerful earthquake rolled through Costa Rica yesterday, killing at least four people and toppling buildings in the Atlantic port city of Puerto Limon.

The quake and a series of powerful aftershocks also caused extensive damage to buildings in the capital, knocking out electrical service and phone lines, cracking walls and shattering windows.

The quake measured 7.4 on the Richter scale and was centered 70 miles southeast of San Jose, said Willis Jacobs of the National Earthquake Information Center in Golden, Colo.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica's main Atlantic port, about 80 miles east of San Jose, appeared to be the hardest hit by the quake and aftershocks that rattled this small Central American nation beginning at 3:58 p.m. (5:58 p.m. EDT)

At least three people were killed when the International Hotel collapsed in Puerto Limon, Red Cross spokesperson Jose Manuel Calvo said in San Jose.

Carlos Garza, a resident, said in telephone interview from Limon that he saw at least one other body as a result of the earthquake.

Homes Destroyed

"I saw at least 40 to 50 homes destroyed and one person dead, with great damage to the railway line. There is no electricity nor running water," Garza said.