A 7.6-magnitude earthquake shook the Caribbean Sea on Saturday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake hit at 6:23pm local time, about 209km south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands. It occurred at a depth of 10km. This was the strongest earthquake in the region since Haiti’s 7.2-magnitude quake in 2021.
Tsunami warnings for several regions
The US Tsunami Warning System initially issued alerts for over a dozen countries. Later, it reduced warnings to three regions.
Authorities warned that Cuba’s coastal areas could see waves up to 10 feet high. Waves of up to three feet were expected in Honduras and the Cayman Islands. Officials in the Cayman Islands advised coastal residents to move inland as a precaution.
Caribbean nations respond to 7.6-magnitude tsunami threat
In Puerto Rico, the US National Tsunami Warning Center issued an advisory but did not call for evacuations. Governor Jenniffer Gonzalez Colon confirmed communication with emergency agencies and assured residents there was no immediate threat.
The Dominican Republic issued a tsunami alert. Officials urged coastal residents to move at least 2km inland or seek higher ground above 20 metres. Maritime authorities warned ships to stay offshore for several hours.
Cuba and Honduras urge caution after 7.6-magnitude quake
Cuban authorities ordered evacuations in beachfront areas. The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted waves between one and three metres above normal tide levels along parts of Cuba’s coastline.
Honduran officials reported no immediate damage but advised residents to avoid beaches. NOAA estimated waves of up to one metre could reach parts of Honduras and the Cayman Islands.
No tsunami alert for mainland US
The US National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed no tsunami alert for the mainland United States. However, advisories remained in place for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
The International Tsunami Information Center warned that some coastal areas could experience hazardous waves within three hours. The affected regions included Jamaica, Cuba, Mexico, Honduras, the Bahamas, Haiti, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.
There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.
