A magnitude-6.8 earthquake jolted eastern Cuba on Sunday, affecting cities such as Santiago de Cuba. While immediate reports indicated no significant damage or injuries, residents experienced panic and minor structural issues. This event follows Hurricanes and an energy crisis exacerbated by the U.S. embargo, revealing the ongoing challenges for Cuba amidst natural disasters.
On Sunday, a considerable earthquake, registering a magnitude of 6.8, struck eastern Cuba, exacerbating the recent challenges faced by the island, including hurricanes and resultant power outages. Residents in major cities such as Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Guantanamo reported feeling the tremor. Fortunately, there have been no immediate accounts of significant damage or injuries; however, some residents did experience minor structural issues, particularly in the small town of Pilon, where photos of damaged roofs emerged on social media. One of Santiago’s residents, Mrs. Yolanda Tabio, described the scene following the quake, telling reporters that many locals had evacuated into the streets, maintaining a tense vigil while seated in their doorways. She reported experiencing at least two aftershocks following the initial quake. Other eyewitnesses conveyed a sense of panic, with screams heard during the event, highlighting that the earthquake was both strong and lengthy. Tourists in Jamaica also felt the aftershocks, which further emphasized the quake’s extensive reach across the region. This seismic event follows a tumultuous period for Cuba, during which Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, had not long ago swept over western parts of the island, causing power outages and destruction of numerous homes. This compounded an existing energy crisis exacerbated by ongoing blackouts, attributed partly to the prolonged United States embargo preventing crucial importations necessary for infrastructure repairs. In light of these recent natural disasters, the island is still recovering from the tragic aftermath of earlier storm events, which claimed the lives of at least six individuals.
Cuba has recently been grappling with a series of natural disasters, including hurricanes that have caused widespread destruction and ongoing power outages. The island’s energy crisis has been significantly influenced by the longstanding American embargo, which hampers the importation of essential repair parts. This backdrop of natural and infrastructural challenges sets the stage for the latest earthquake event, which further tests the resilience of the Cuban people. The fact that several cities were impacted by the quake underscores the geological vulnerabilities that the island faces in addition to its environmental challenges.
In summary, the 6.8 magnitude earthquake has struck at a difficult time for Cuba, following hurricanes and persistent power outages. While major damage has yet to be confirmed, the experience has instilled fear among residents, with reports of aftershocks felt in neighboring areas. This geological event highlights the ongoing struggles faced by the country, compounded by environmental distress and the impacts of long-term infrastructural crisis.
Original Source: news.az
