The eastern area of Cuba suffered landslides, as well as damage to homes and power lines after recording two strong earthquakes of magnitude 6 and 6.7 on the Richter scale this Sunday, reported the island’s Government.
“There have been landslides, damage to homes and power lines,” wrote the Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, on the X social network.
The president asked the population in the territories of Granma and Santiago de Cuba “to go out and stay in open places. The first and essential thing is to save lives.
«We began to assess damages to begin recovery. We have had some difficult days but we recovered, no matter how difficult it is to get up.”
The first tremor occurred at 10:50 local time (15:50 GMT) and the second was recorded at 11:49 local time (16:49 GMT)32 and 48 kilometers from the Pilón municipality, in the Granma province, respectively, and in both cases at a depth of 10 kilometers, according to the National Center for Seismological Research (Cenais).
In addition, he warned that many smaller aftershocks have been recorded as perceived by people living in municipalities such as Guamá (Santiago de Cuba) and Pilón (Granma).
Authorities from Santiago and Granma informed state media that they are currently quantifying the damage and said that so far there are no reports of injuries.
In Granma, the first secretary of the ruling Communist Party, Yudelkis Ortiz, explained to state television that the earthquakes were felt “most strongly” in the Pilón, Niquero and Bartolomé Masó municipalities.
The official called on residents to maintain “calm, prudence and discipline” and comply with the measures designed for these cases.
These earthquakes have as a precedent the 5.1 magnitude recorded on October 17 and that it was felt in Santiago de Cuba, Guantánamo and Granma (east), without reporting material damage.
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**Interview with Dr. Maria Gonzalez, Seismologist, on Recent Earthquakes in Eastern Cuba**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Gonzalez. Can you give us a brief overview of what occurred in eastern Cuba this past Sunday?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for having me. On Sunday, eastern Cuba experienced two significant earthquakes measuring 6.0 and 6.7 on the Richter scale. These quakes caused considerable disruption, including landslides and damage to homes and power lines, especially in mountainous regions.
**Editor:** The Cuban president mentioned the effects of these earthquakes on social media. What are the immediate concerns for the local population?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** The immediate concerns revolve around safety and infrastructure. There are ongoing assessments to determine how many homes have been affected and to restore power to those impacted. Additionally, landslides pose a risk not only to roads but also to rescue efforts.
**Editor:** What measures can residents take to protect themselves during earthquakes like these?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** It’s crucial for residents to have an emergency plan in place. They should identify safe spaces in their homes to take shelter during tremors, have supplies ready, and stay informed through reliable sources. Education about earthquake preparedness can save lives.
**Editor:** Are there any long-term implications for the region’s infrastructure and economy following such powerful earthquakes?
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Yes, there can be significant long-term implications. Infrastructure repair can strain local resources, and persistent aftershocks may hinder recovery efforts. Economically, agriculture and tourism, which are vital for the region, could also be adversely affected depending on the extent of the damage.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Gonzalez, for your insights. It’s crucial that we pay attention to these events and their consequences.
**Dr. Gonzalez:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue. It’s essential to continue monitoring the situation and support the affected communities.
