A 6.1 magnitude earthquake in southeastern Cuba on December 23, 2024, caused significant damage, particularly in Santiago de Cuba and Granma, with authorities mobilizing assessments and emergency services. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities, and measures have been taken to ensure public safety and essential service continuity.
On December 23, 2024, a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Cuba, causing notable damage primarily in Santiago de Cuba and Granma. Authorities, including Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago, are currently conducting damage assessments in the affected areas. Preliminary reports indicated that at least seven homes, three state institutions, and significant portions of the Granma highway were impacted, with landslides obstructing roads.
The local government has swiftly implemented alternative transportation measures to assist residents from La Plata and Ocujal to access the municipal center of Chivirico, as stated by Yurdis Batista Espinosa, the president of the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power. “We have been organizing this transfer since the early hours of the morning, and so far it has gone quite well. Public health and education conditions, as well as the distribution of basic goods, are steady, so there are no obstacles to essential services,” he noted.
In Granma, visible structural damages were reported, but authorities reassured that no injuries or fatalities occurred due to the quake. Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló and Yanetsy Terry Gutiérrez held a videoconference addressing the situation and reiterated that the province’s reservoirs remain functional.
To ensure safety, families have been encouraged to prepare emergency bags containing medications, drinking water, and identification cards. Educational initiatives were also launched in various municipalities, instructing children on earthquake preparedness in light of recent events. Reports indicated that the earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Chivirico, and authorities are monitoring aftershocks, which have numbered at 241 since the event, three of which were perceptible.
The earthquake that affected eastern Cuba is part of a series of seismic activities that have been increasingly recorded in this region over recent months. Given the geographical volatility, local authorities have established emergency protocols, including evacuation systems and preparedness training for residents. This event has caused significant concern regarding infrastructural integrity and public safety, prompting the government to mobilize resources and assess the situation promptly.
In summary, the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck southeastern Cuba has resulted in considerable damage, primarily in Santiago de Cuba and Granma. Authorities are actively conducting assessments, implementing transportation solutions, and raising public awareness regarding emergency preparedness. Thankfully, there have been no reported casualties, emphasizing the effectiveness of prior preparedness measures in assisting affected communities.
Original Source: en.cibercuba.com
