A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba on Sunday following a period marked by hurricanes and widespread blackouts. The quake has unsettled residents but, fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of damage or injuries. This seismic event adds to the ongoing struggles facing the island, which has recently dealt with significant natural disasters and infrastructural issues.
On Sunday, eastern Cuba experienced a 6.8 magnitude earthquake, amplifying the ongoing distress caused by recent hurricanes and widespread power outages. The earthquake’s epicenter was reported approximately 25 miles south of Bartolomé Masó, as noted by the United States Geological Survey. Residents across the eastern regions, including the significant city of Santiago de Cuba, felt the tremors. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, though the emotional impact on the community was palpable. The tremors unsettled residents in Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city. Yolanda Tabío, a 76-year-old local, recounted how people hurried into the streets and lingered nervously in doorways following the shaking. “You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything,” she stated, describing the overwhelming sensation of the quake. She noted experiencing aftershocks yet had not heard of any material damages among her acquaintances. This seismic event follows a tumultuous period for Cuba. Just days earlier, on Wednesday, Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, swept through western Cuba, leaving the island in darkness as strong winds caused island-wide power outages. The hurricane destroyed numerous homes and necessitated the evacuation of hundreds of thousands. As the community struggled to regain normalcy post-storm, many areas were still battling prolonged power outages, a situation exacerbated by an ongoing energy crisis. Moreover, prior to these events, the island endured severe blackouts that had sparked public discontent and small-scale protests.
The occurrence of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Cuba is particularly significant against the backdrop of a sequence of recent natural disasters and infrastructural challenges. Cuba has faced a series of hurricanes that have devastated the island’s infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages and humanitarian challenges. These conditions have heightened tensions within the population, leading to protests as citizens express their growing dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crises. Understanding the cumulative effect of these events is crucial for grasping the current climate in Cuba.
In summary, the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake in eastern Cuba has intensified the hardships faced by residents already struggling with the aftermath of hurricanes and prolonged blackouts. While there were no immediate reports of injuries, the emotional toll on the community indicates the fragility of their current situation. As Cuba navigates through this series of crises, the resilience of its people remains crucial in confronting the challenges ahead.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
