Cuba Experiences Over 400 Aftershocks Following Recent Eastern Earthquake

Enrique Diego Arango, head of Cuba's National Seismological Service, announced on Saturday that there have been 405 aftershocks recorded following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck in the early hours of December 23 in eastern Cuba, specifically in Guamá municipality, Santiago de Cuba province. This earthquake, affecting the island's eastern half, has triggered a series of secondary seismic activities, three of which were felt by the population, as detailed by the specialist on Facebook.

The post also highlights that in connection with the earthquakes of 6.0 and 6.7 magnitudes on November 10, a total of 8,710 aftershocks have been recorded, with 140 reported as noticeable. The December quake, centered 35 kilometers southwest of Chivirico, has raised significant concern due to landslides and road blockages.

The highway connecting the provinces of Granma and Santiago de Cuba remains closed to traffic because of landslides caused by this event. El Babujal Pass, in the Uvero People's Council, was cut off by the fall of large rocks and boulders weighing up to four tons, according to regime authorities.

Workers from the Emproy 15 company have begun clearing the road, while other entities like Housing, the Provincial Road Center, EPAC, and the National Center for Seismological Research (CENAIS) are on-site assessing the damage and planning immediate solutions. Although no fatalities have been reported by authorities, there has been significant damage to homes and public structures, with visible cracks in walls and other buildings.

Previously identified risk zones in geological studies have shown their vulnerability, with the earthquake serving as a stark reminder of the hazards facing this landslide-prone region. Experts emphasize the need to continue monitoring these events and enhancing road safety in the affected area.