Magnitude-6.8 Earthquake Strikes Eastern Cuba Amid Recent Hurricanes

A magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, affecting cities like Santiago de Cuba and Holguin. Initial reports show no major damages or injuries, although residents experienced significant fear. This seismic event followed Hurricane Rafael, which had caused extensive damage and power outages across the island. The ongoing energy crisis, intensified by a US blockade, complicates recovery efforts.

On a recent Sunday, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 struck the eastern region of Cuba, following a series of hurricanes that had already devastated the island. The earthquake’s tremors were felt in major cities including Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, and Guantanamo, prompting residents to flee to the streets. Fortunately, initial reports indicated that there were no significant injuries or widespread damage; however, numerous individuals expressed their distress and anxiety over the tremors. In Santiago de Cuba, resident Yolanda Tabio observed, “You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything,” emphasizing the fear instilled by the quake. Reports from social media indicated minor damage in places like Pilon, where residents shared images of damaged roofs and cracked buildings. Tremors were also felt in Jamaica, with British tourists noting the unusual experience of an earthquake. This seismic event followed significant weather disturbances, including Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 hurricane that had wreaked havoc in western Cuba just days earlier. The hurricane caused widespread power outages and extensive damage, particularly impacting the island’s already strained energy infrastructure due to ongoing crises stemming from a long-standing economic blockade.

Cuba has been facing a series of challenges, including a debilitating energy crisis exacerbated by the U.S. embargo that prohibits the importation of essential resources for repairs and maintenance of infrastructure. The recent hurricane activity has only intensified the difficulties faced by the Cuban population, with families still recovering from both natural disasters and a disintegrating energy supply. The recent earthquake adds to the anxieties of residents coping with the compounded effects of weather-related disasters.

In conclusion, the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake in eastern Cuba has added yet another layer of distress to a region already grappling with the aftermath of recent hurricanes and a pervasive energy crisis. While immediate reports of severe damage were minimal, the psychological impact on residents remains palpable, reflecting the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by the island’s population. The situation underscores the urgent need for comprehensive disaster response strategies, as well as a reevaluation of the broader economic implications of external policies affecting Cuba.

Original Source: news.az