Powerful Earthquakes Strike Eastern Cuba
On Sunday morning, eastern Cuba experienced a series of powerful earthquakes, the first measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, followed by a significant aftershock of 6.7. These seismic events have led to widespread material damage, particularly in the province of Granma, where the epicenter was located approximately 39 kilometers south of Bartolomé Masó. Reports indicate that residents felt the tremors strongly, prompting many to evacuate their homes for safety.
Local authorities have confirmed that the situation is dire in affected areas like Pilón, where extensive damage has been reported, including landslides and destruction of homes. Enrique Diego Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service, described the situation as “quite complicated” and noted that communication has been challenging due to the aftermath of the earthquakes. Images shared by state media depict buildings with severe cracks and debris scattered across streets.
This seismic activity comes as Cuba is still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Oscar, which struck the eastern region weeks prior, and Hurricane Rafael, which recently hit the western part of the island. The cumulative effects of these disasters have left many residents without electricity for several days, exacerbating the crisis following the earthquakes.
Ongoing Recovery Efforts and Future Implications
In response to the earthquakes, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has stated that authorities are actively assessing the damage and coordinating recovery efforts. Although the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center reported no significant tsunami threat, there remains a slight possibility of minor waves near the epicenter. The earthquakes have added to the challenges faced by the island, which has already been grappling with widespread power outages and the aftermath of two hurricanes in recent weeks. As recovery efforts begin, the focus will be on restoring power and providing assistance to those affected by the seismic events.
