Magnitude-6.8 Earthquake Shakes Eastern Cuba, No Major Damage Reported

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck eastern Cuba following recent hurricanes, shaking cities like Santiago, Holguin, and Guantanamo. Initial assessments reported no significant damages or injuries, although aftershocks were felt as far away as Jamaica. The island continues to confront challenges stemming from an ongoing energy crisis and the effects of Hurricane Rafael, which struck days earlier.

A significant earthquake, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, compounding the challenges faced by the island following recent hurricanes and widespread power outages. The tremor was felt across eastern regions including major cities such as Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Guantanamo. Fortunately, initial assessments indicated no major damages or injuries. Yolanda Tabio, a resident of Santiago, described the scene as citizens flooded the streets, remaining anxiously seated in their doorways. She recounted experiencing at least two aftershocks, yet had not received reports of any destruction from her acquaintances. “You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything,” she noted in an interview with journalists. In other areas, residents reported hearing distressing cries, indicating the quake’s intense and prolonged nature, while a small town, Pilon, shared images of minor structural damage online. The aftershocks, which extended their reach into Jamaica, were felt by British tourists Carmen Bezzina and Tracy Morgan, who remarked, “We are obviously not used to earthquakes in Britain, so we knew something was happening.” Just days prior, Hurricane Rafael, classified as a Category 3 storm, wreaked havoc in western Cuba, leading to extensive power outages and widespread destruction of homes. The situation has been exacerbated by prolonged blackouts due to Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis, which is significantly influenced by the United States’ blockade that restricts essential imports for maintenance.

Cuba has been grappling with a series of natural disasters, including hurricanes and a recent earthquake, which have compounded the challenges of its longstanding energy crisis. The island experienced extensive damage due to Hurricane Rafael, resulting in destroyed homes and a widespread power outage. The country’s energy shortages are primarily attributed to decades of U.S. sanctions that hinder the availability of necessary resources and repair parts. As a result, these natural disasters have had a disproportionately severe impact on the Cuban population, intensifying the ongoing humanitarian difficulties on the island.

The recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake in eastern Cuba, occurring in the wake of devastating hurricanes, highlights the precarious condition of the island’s infrastructure and the ongoing energy crisis exacerbated by international sanctions. While there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries, the quake has understandably heightened public anxiety in the affected areas. It illustrates the broader implications of natural disasters coupled with systemic challenges facing Cuba today, pointing to a critical need for support and recovery efforts.

Original Source: news.az