6.8 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Cuba Following Hurricanes and Power Outages

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.8 struck eastern Cuba on Sunday, following weeks of hurricanes and widespread power outages that have left many residents in turmoil.

The epicenter of the quake was reported to be about 25 miles south of Bartolome Maso, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The tremors were felt across eastern Cuba, including major cities like Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, and Guantánamo. Residents in Jamaica also reported feeling the seismic activity.

Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries in Cuba.

In Santiago, which is Cuba's second-largest city, people took to the streets after feeling the quake. Yolanda Tabío, 76, described how residents nervously sat in doorways and observed their surroundings. She recounted experiencing at least two aftershocks but had not heard of any severe damage among her friends and family.

“You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything," she told The Associated Press.

Others echoed her sentiments, sharing tales of screams during the quake and describing its prolonged intensity. On social media, some residents from the small town of Pilón shared images showing minor damage such as crumbling roofs and cracked walls—issues common in many older buildings across Cuba.

This earthquake comes at a particularly challenging time for the island nation. Just days prior, Hurricane Rafael had swept through western Cuba as a Category 3 storm, bringing strong winds that caused island-wide power outages and destroyed hundreds of homes while forcing evacuations for thousands of people. Even days later, much of the country continued to struggle with power shortages.

Earlier in October, many parts of Cuba experienced severe blackouts due to an ongoing energy crisis before being hit by another powerful hurricane that claimed at least six lives in its path. These challenges have fueled discontent among citizens and sparked small protests throughout the island as they cope with ongoing hardships.