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Earthquakes in Eastern Cuba Leave More Injuries and Damaged Homes

Wednesday, November 13, 2024 by Charlotte Gomez

Earthquakes in Eastern Cuba Leave More Injuries and Damaged Homes
Damage caused by the earthquakes - Image © Social media

In the aftermath of the powerful 6.0 and 6.7 magnitude earthquakes that struck southeastern Cuba last Sunday, the government reported on Tuesday that ten people have been injured and at least 3,752 structures have sustained damage. These figures were discussed during the National Defense Council meeting attended by Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, as shared by the official profile of the Cuban Presidency on social media platform X.

The province of Granma bears the brunt of the destruction, with ten individuals injured and 3,518 buildings impacted, including 54 complete collapses. Additionally, 59 health facilities and 109 educational institutions have suffered damage, with four schools still unready to resume classes.

Recovery Efforts in Santiago de Cuba and Continuing Aftershocks

In the area of Santiago de Cuba, the second hardest-hit province, recovery efforts have commenced for health, education, and residential structures, with 234 homes affected. Meanwhile, aftershocks persist, with 2,300 tremors recorded since the initial earthquakes, 78 of which were noticeable in the eastern region.

Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, confirmed that all affected municipalities now have restored electricity, along with resumed water pumping and communications services. An earlier report indicated that the earthquakes in Granma resulted in seven injuries and at least 2,018 homes damaged, 26 being complete collapses.

Challenges in Artemisa and Other Provinces

During the National Defense Council session, it was revealed that restoring electricity in Artemisa, following Hurricane Rafael, remains particularly challenging. So far, only 4.58% of the population has power, with 425 operational generators in critical centers and 16 teams of electrical technicians working on the issue. Fixed-line telephony has been restored to 72% in Artemisa, while mobile coverage is at 50%. The water supply currently reaches 51.2% of the population, with housing damages totaling 17,324, of which 3,848 have been verified.

In Mayabeque, electricity has been restored to 93%, yet around twenty settlements remain without service. The water supply covers 92.2% of residents, leaving approximately 29,000 people without pumped water access.

Progress in Havana's Electric and Water Supply

In Havana, electricity recovery has reached 98.37%, with Boyeros being the most affected area. The water supply in the capital stands at 76.2%, impacting 348,000 people, although improvements are anticipated soon. Housing damages in Havana amount to 2,329.

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