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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What specific measures should residents take to ensure their safety during aftershocks following the recent earthquakes in Cuba?
**Short Interview with Dr. Elena Ortiz, Seismologist and Disaster Management Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Ortiz. Can you provide an overview of the recent earthquakes that struck eastern and central provinces in Cuba?
**Dr. Ortiz:** Thank you for having me. We experienced two significant earthquakes this past Sunday, with magnitudes of 6.0 and 6.7. These are among the strongest seismic events recorded this year in Cuba, and they were centered near Pilón in Granma province.
**Interviewer:** What can you tell us about the impact of these earthquakes on the affected areas?
**Dr. Ortiz:** Fortunately, there have been no reported fatalities or serious injuries, which is a relief. However, we are seeing significant damage, including the collapse of both residential and state buildings, along with extensive electrical outages and landslides in mountainous regions. Reports indicate that older structures, like the lighthouse in Cabo Cruz, have sustained serious cracks.
**Interviewer:** Given the frequency of these events—this being the 13th and 14th earthquakes of the year—what precautions are being advised to the public?
**Dr. Ortiz:** Yes, it’s crucial that residents follow guidance from local authorities. President Miguel Díaz-Canel has urged people in affected areas to evacuate to open spaces to ensure their safety. Evacuating tall buildings and gathering in designated areas can help minimize risks during any aftershocks, of which we have already recorded around 300, with 15 being quite noticeable.
**Interviewer:** How is the government responding to the aftermath of these earthquakes?
**Dr. Ortiz:** The government is currently evaluating the damage to initiate recovery efforts. They aim to address the immediate needs of the population and begin rebuilding efforts. President Díaz-Canel has expressed a sentiment of resilience, stating that even though the situation is challenging, the community will recover.
**Interviewer:** The eastern part of Cuba was recovering from Hurricane Oscar just weeks ago. How do you see the cumulative effect of these disasters on the region?
**Dr. Ortiz:** It’s a concerning situation. The region was already vulnerable due to recent hurricanes and storms, which stress infrastructure and resources. Now, with simultaneous earthquake damage, recovery efforts will be compounded, requiring significant resources and community support. The psychological impact on residents cannot be underestimated, as they are faced with repeated crises.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Ortiz. It’s critical to stay informed and resilient during such times.
**Dr. Ortiz:** Thank you for shedding light on this situation. It’s imperative that we maintain a strong community spirit as recovery efforts unfold.