The 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the eastern region of Cuba early Monday morning has left behind a trail of fear, uncertainty, and destruction. A moving testimony captures the anguish experienced by those affected and their relatives living abroad. The emotional toll and devastation in the most vulnerable communities highlight the urgent need for attention, as illustrated in a Facebook post by Yau Salcedo.
"It was a sleepless night, another dawn stretched out endlessly, with my mind spinning aimlessly. Knowing that my loved ones and thousands of others were once again experiencing the scare of another quake hurts, and you can't imagine how much. Nature speaks, and so does God," Salcedo expressed.
The Emotional Toll on Families
Salcedo recounted her mother's experience, whose vacant stare and tears bore witness to the terror endured. She also criticized the response of Cuban state media, which downplayed the impact of the event: "I still have to hear on Cuban state media that there are 'some reports' and that the damages 'were from the previous quake'," she wrote indignantly.
Community Hardships in Baire
In her post, Salcedo also mentioned the hardships faced by the community of Baire, in Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba province, especially in areas such as Avenida 4 and the Carretera Central, where poverty and precarious conditions make the situation even worse. "I feel deeply for my neighbors who today face this destruction amid such misery and calamity," Salcedo added, lamenting the harsh reality her community faces post-earthquake.
Despite everything, her message ended with a glimmer of hope: "I still hold onto the hope that no night can last so long that the sun never rises again," suggesting a longing for better times in the broadest sense for Cuba.
Natural Disaster's Aftermath
The earthquake, which occurred around 1:00 a.m. local time on Monday, had its epicenter southwest of Santiago de Cuba. It caused landslides and the fall of large rocks in Babujal, Guamá municipality, Santiago de Cuba, revealing the magnitude of the natural disaster. The incident took place past Uvero, in a stretch deemed very dangerous due to the proximity of the mountain to the road.
A scientific study released by the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) on their website this Monday indicates that earthquakes tend to occur more frequently at night in certain Caribbean regions. This finding is shared amid the concerns raised in the population following the quake.
Understanding the Seismic Activity in Cuba
What was the magnitude of the recent earthquake in eastern Cuba?
The earthquake that struck eastern Cuba had a magnitude of 6.1.
How did the earthquake impact the community of Baire?
The earthquake exacerbated existing poverty and precarious conditions in Baire, particularly in areas like Avenida 4 and the Carretera Central, causing significant hardships for the residents.
Where was the epicenter of the earthquake located?
The epicenter was located southwest of Santiago de Cuba.
What does the CENAIS study reveal about earthquake patterns in the Caribbean?
The study reveals that earthquakes are more likely to occur during nighttime hours in certain regions of the Caribbean.