The dock in the main town of Pilón, a coastal municipality in Granma province and one of the areas closest to the epicenter of the recent 6.7 magnitude earthquake, has suffered significant damage, showcasing the earthquake's destructive power. The quake struck on Sunday in eastern Cuba.
A Facebook user named Alex shared a video illustrating the earthquake's force, which was recorded at 12:49 p.m., 32 kilometers southeast of Pilón. This followed a precursor event measuring 6.0 at 10:50 a.m. The footage shows large cracks across various sections of the dock's concrete slab. In some areas, sections appear lifted, and while it's unclear if these are pre-existing or new damages, the surprise expressed by those filming suggests they are likely a result of the seismic activity.
Additional footage reveals damaged planters and a nearly detached sea wall, apparently part of a coastal walkway. Another user, Saúl Manuel, also posted a video depicting the earthquake's impact on the Pilón dock, remarking, "The floor of Pilón Dock in Granma was uplifted by today's earthquakes in the East."
As of 5:00 p.m. Cuban time, the National Seismological Service had recorded at least 300 aftershocks from the earthquake that hit southeast of Pilón, Granma, with at least 15 being noticeable to residents. While the seismic events caused damage in various localities in Santiago de Cuba, the most severe impact is concentrated in Granma province.
Widespread Destruction Across Granma
Images circulating from several municipalities in Granma, located along the province's southern coast (including Pilón, Campechuela, Media, and Niquero), depict scenes of devastation and fear gripping the towns. The destruction has been widespread, leaving residents anxious and concerned.
Dr. Enrique Diego Arango Arias, a scientist and head of the National Seismological Service of Cuba at the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS), issued a warning on social media about the challenging situation following the two significant earthquakes. On Facebook, Arango highlighted the urgent need for damage reports, stating, "The situation is quite complicated, with many damages reported in Pilón. We need damage reports if available."