An earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck the southwest of Santiago de Cuba at around 1:00 a.m. local time on December 23, resulting in landslides and large boulders falling in Babujal, located in the Guamá municipality of Santiago de Cuba. Photos shared on Facebook by journalist Lázaro Manuel Alonso revealed the significant size of some of the rocks that had fallen onto the road leading to Granma.
Despite the tremor's intensity, Caridad Aniuska Chong Guerra, the first secretary of the Municipal Party Committee in Guamá, reported that the area remains calm. Residents are following safety protocols by evacuating upper floors, moving to secure areas, and staying informed, as stated by journalist José Yaser Centray.
Meanwhile, inspections were conducted at the municipal hospital and various locations in the main town of Chivirico to assess the condition of the infrastructure. By 4:10 a.m., 170 aftershocks had been recorded following the seismic event. Reports indicate there is no tsunami threat linked to these earthquakes occurring along the Oriente fault line in eastern Cuba.
As of 5:50 a.m., a total of 241 aftershocks had been logged, with three being noticeable, according to the latest update from the CENAIS. CTC TV Granma mentioned that as a result of the quake, firefighters had to assist a woman from the fifth floor of building No. 9 in the Antonio Guiteras neighborhood in Bayamo, though it was unclear whether this was due to medical or other reasons.
Although no casualties or injuries have been reported so far, social media posts have highlighted some damage. In Manzanillo, Granma province, part of a balcony at the José María Heredia school collapsed, as reported online by journalist José Ortiz Benet.
The earthquake was predominantly felt in the provinces of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo, with reports also coming from Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, and other eastern provinces, according to the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS). Dr. Enrique Arango Arias, head of the National Seismological Service, stated that the quake's epicenter was located 35 kilometers southwest of Chivirico, the main town of the Guamá municipality in Santiago de Cuba, at a depth of 9 kilometers, which intensified its impact.
Preliminary data from CENAIS placed the tremor at coordinates 19.77 degrees north latitude and 76.61 degrees west longitude. The official report mentioned "minor damages" in the locality of Providencia, Granma province, as a result of the earthquake.
In a later video address, Arango Arias clarified that the morning's earthquake was not an aftershock of those that occurred south of Pilón, Granma, nearly a month and a half ago. Authorities in Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo continue assessing potential structural damages. Experts at CENAIS are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining vigilance over the region.
Numerous individuals on social media described the quake's intensity and duration. This earthquake occurred less than two months after two significant tremors of magnitudes 6.0 and 6.7 struck south of Pilón, Granma, on November 10. Since then, the National Seismological Service reports more than 8,000 aftershocks, with 137 being perceptible. CENAIS urges the public to stay informed through official channels.
Impact of the Earthquake in Santiago de Cuba
Where was the epicenter of the earthquake?
The epicenter was located 35 kilometers southwest of Chivirico, in the Guamá municipality of Santiago de Cuba.
Were there any casualties reported?
No casualties or injuries have been reported so far, though some structural damages have occurred.
What measures are being taken by the residents?
Residents are evacuating upper floors, relocating to secure areas, and keeping themselves informed about the situation.