Two earthquakes of magnitude 6 and 6.7 on the Richter scale were felt this Sunday in several provinces in eastern and central Mexico. Cuba, leaving a preliminary balance of affected homes, electrical breakdowns and landslides from mountainous areas, without reporting fatalities or injuries at the moment.
Two earthquakes affected several eastern and central provinces
It should be noted that these earthquakes are the 13th and 14th recorded so far this year. They occurred mid-morning by the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais) in the vicinity of the municipality of Pilón, in Granma.
Cenais indicated that it had reported 300 aftershocks of these events, of which fifteen were noticeable.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel called on the residents of Granma and Santiago de Cuba to go out and stay in open places. The first and essential thing is to save lives.
He also specified that the damage is being evaluated to begin recovery.
“We have gone through difficult days, but we will recover, no matter how complicated it is, we will get up,” he said.
According to preliminary reports, total and partial collapses of houses and state buildings have been reported, as well as cracks in walls and fallen electrical poles.
Through state television, the lighthouse in the coastal town of Cabo Cruz (Granma), which is more than 150 years old, has suffered cracks and fissures in various parts of its structure.
The provincial authorities have asked the population to remain calm, prudent and disciplined, and comply with the established measures, such as concentrating on the ground floor of tall buildings and open spaces.
Through social networks, residents of the areas where these tremors have been felt have shared their impressions of being surprised to see the movement of furniture and objects in their homes.
The eastern part of the island is still recovering from the impact of Hurricane Oscar, which occurred three weeks ago, and from the intense rain storms of recent days, when it was affected by these new events.
(EFE)
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How can residents best prepare for aftershocks following significant seismic events?
**Interview with Dr. Alicia Rodríguez, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Rodríguez. Can you provide us with some insight into the recent earthquakes that struck eastern and central Cuba?
**Dr. Rodríguez:** Thank you for having me. Yes, indeed, this past Sunday, we recorded two significant earthquakes measuring 6.0 and 6.7 on the Richter scale near the municipality of Pilón in Granma. These events are part of a series of seismic activities we’ve been monitoring throughout the year, marking the 13th and 14th earthquakes recorded in Cuba for 2024.
**Interviewer:** What initial impact has been reported following these tremors?
**Dr. Rodríguez:** Preliminary reports indicate that there have been partial and total collapses of homes and state buildings, particularly in affected areas. Additionally, we’ve noted electrical outages and landslides due to the earthquakes. Thankfully, at this moment, there are no reports of fatalities or serious injuries, which is good news given the scale of these events.
**Interviewer:** The President urged residents to seek open areas. Why is this important during such seismic events?
**Dr. Rodríguez:** It’s crucial for safety. During earthquakes, the ground can shift severely, leading to possible building collapses or falling debris. Staying in open spaces minimizes the risk of injuries. President Díaz-Canel’s call for residents to evacuate to these safer areas is aligned with our recommendations to mitigate risks.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned aftershocks. How significant have they been?
**Dr. Rodríguez:** After the main earthquakes, we’ve recorded about 300 aftershocks, with roughly fifteen being notable in magnitude. Aftershocks are common, and while they can be unsettling, they typically decrease in strength and frequency over time.
**Interviewer:** With the eastern region still recovering from Hurricane Oscar, how does this double-hit affect recovery efforts?
**Dr. Rodríguez:** Recovery will undoubtedly be challenging. The region has already been dealing with the aftermath of severe weather and flooding. Our immediate focus is assessment and support for affected communities. Local authorities are working to evaluate the damages and to coordinate recovery efforts.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what advice would you give to residents in light of these events?
**Dr. Rodríguez:** It’s important for residents to remain calm and to stay informed through official channels. Follow safety protocols, especially if you live in multi-story buildings. Stay away from hazardous structures and ensure your emergency supplies are accessible. Community cooperation and preparedness are vital in these situations.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Rodríguez, for your insights and guidance on this critical situation.
**Dr. Rodríguez:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss these important matters. Stay safe.
