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 does Dr. Elena Martinez suggest communities can cope with the emotional aftermath of seismic events like the recent earthquakes in Cuba?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Martinez, Seismologist at the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Martinez. We’ve just heard about the two significant earthquakes that struck eastern and central Cuba recently. Can you provide us with some insights on these events?
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for having me. Yes, on Sunday, we recorded two earthquakes of magnitude 6 and 6.7, primarily affecting the provinces in the eastern and central regions of Cuba. These earthquakes are particularly noteworthy as they are part of a series of seismic activities that have occurred this year, marking the 13th and 14th earthquakes we’ve documented in 2024.
**Interviewer:** That’s alarming. Was there any initial assessment of the damage caused by these earthquakes?
**Dr. Martinez:** Preliminary reports indicate there has been considerable damage, including the complete and partial collapse of residential buildings and state structures. We are also seeing cases of cracked walls and fallen electrical poles. While we have fortunately not reported any fatalities or serious injuries, the infrastructure needs thorough evaluation.
**Interviewer:** What measures are being taken by the authorities in response to these events?
**Dr. Martinez:** President Miguel Díaz-Canel has urged residents in affected areas to evacuate to open spaces for their safety. The focus is on saving lives first, and the authorities are actively assessing the extent of the damage to facilitate recovery efforts. Residents have also been advised to remain calm and adhere to safety protocols.
**Interviewer:** How do these earthquakes compare to previous seismic activities in the region?
**Dr. Martinez:** We have experienced significant seismic activity in the past, but the magnitude of these quakes is notable, especially considering the proximity of the municipality of Pilón in Granma where they originated. The occurrence of 300 aftershocks, with fifteen being quite noticeable, reflects the region’s continued instability.
**Interviewer:** Many residents expressed shock and fear during the tremors. What can you tell us about the emotional and psychological impact of such natural disasters?
**Dr. Martinez:** The emotional toll of earthquakes can be quite severe. The fear and anxiety that follow seismic events affect not only those directly impacted but also the surrounding communities. It’s essential for local agencies to provide psychological support and resources to help residents cope during recovery.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Martinez, for your insights. It’s clear there’s a significant challenge ahead for the communities affected. We hope for a swift recovery for everyone involved.
**Dr. Martinez:** Thank you for addressing this crucial topic. Recovery will be challenging, but with community resilience and appropriate support, we can rebuild.
