Powerful Quake Jolts Eastern Cuba: Residents on Alert

A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Cuba causing significant shaking in Santiago de Cuba and surrounding areas. Despite the violent tremors and shaking of homes and buildings, no damage has been reported. There is no tsunami threat according to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center.

An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck eastern Cuba, unsettling residents in Santiago de Cuba, the country's second-largest city, and adjacent regions, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey.

The epicenter was located on Cuba's southeastern coast in Granma province, near Bartolome Maso, an area of historical significance as the former stronghold of Fidel Castro during the Cuban Revolution. Eyewitnesses recount unprecedented levels of shaking, describing how their homes and fragile structures shook violently, displacing items from shelves.

Despite the intensity of the tremor, there were no immediate reports of damage. The earthquake, initially recorded at a magnitude of 5.8, was revised upwards to 6.8 by officials. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed there is no expected tsunami threat from the quake.

(With inputs from agencies.)