A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba, affecting Santiago de Cuba and Granma. Damage assessments revealed structural harm to homes and infrastructure, alongside public health and safety measures being instituted. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported, and local authorities continue to coordinate emergency responses and community support.
On Tuesday, authorities in eastern Cuba continued their assessment of damages following a 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern regions early on Monday. The quake resulted in significant destruction across areas in Santiago de Cuba and Granma. Local leaders, including Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago, alongside Governor Manuel Falcón Hernández, conducted a thorough inspection of the affected sites to ascertain the extent of the disaster’s impact.
Preliminary reports indicate damage to at least seven residential homes, three governmental entities, and critical infrastructure such as the Granma highway, especially in the Babujal segment connecting Ocujal del Turquino and Uvero. Landslides complicated rescue efforts, blocking access for vehicles with boulders exceeding two meters in size. According to Yurdis Batista Espinosa, the President of the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power, an alternative transportation system has been established utilizing buses and trucks to facilitate access for residents in La Plata and Ocujal to the municipal center of Chivirico.
“We have been organizing this transfer since the early hours of the morning, and so far it has gone quite well. Public health and education conditions, as well as the distribution of basic goods, are steady, so there are no obstacles to essential services,” stated Mr. Batista Espinosa. Furthermore, Caridaniuska Chong Guerra, the First Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee in Guamá, mentioned that although the Defense Council remains unactivated, a responsive team is in place to manage any seismic incidents.
Reports from Granma province indicated that residential buildings and governmental institutions sustained damage, with visible cracks appearing in structural walls. During a videoconference in Bayamo, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, the first secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Party, confirmed no injuries or fatalities were recorded as a result of the earthquake, and that local reservoir operations remain unaffected.
Ortiz Barceló also urged citizens to prepare emergency bags inclusive of crucial items such as medications and identification documents. Proactive measures indicated that in some municipalities like Pilón, educational instructions were provided to children regarding safety protocols in the event of future earthquakes. The earthquake struck at approximately 1:00 a.m. local time, with an epicenter located 35 kilometers southwest of Chivirico.
As of 5:50 a.m. on December 23, 2024, there were reports of 241 aftershocks resulting from the earthquake, three of which were perceptible. The local authorities enacted protective measures which encompassed alternative transportation systems, evacuation of upper-floor residents, and the preparedness of emergency backpacks to ensure the safety of all individuals in the affected locales.
On December 23, 2024, southeastern Cuba experienced a significant earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale. The quake’s epicenter was located near Chivirico, with its shaking felt across various municipalities, particularly in Santiago de Cuba and Granma. As a historically seismic zone, Cuba is frequently subjected to earthquakes; hence, local authorities have established emergency response protocols to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters. This earthquake, however, has intensified the necessity for immediate assessments and responses from local governance to ensure the safety and stability of the affected communities.
In conclusion, the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that impacted eastern Cuba on December 23, 2024, has caused notable damage across several municipalities, particularly Santiago de Cuba and Granma, without reports of casualties. Local leaders and authorities are actively assessing the damage, providing essential services, and implementing precautionary measures. Community preparedness and government responsiveness will be crucial as recovery efforts continue in the aftermath of this seismic event.
Original Source: en.cibercuba.com
