Malik Waqar
A powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean Sea southwest of the Cayman Islands on Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake occurred at 6:23 p.m. local time, with an epicenter located 130 miles (209 km) south-southwest of George Town, Cayman Islands. The quake had a depth of 10 kilometres.
Although the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, it was later cancelled, with no threat to the U.S. mainland.
In Puerto Rico’s northwest region, the sounding of alarms led to mass evacuations from coastal areas, causing heavy traffic in several places.
Hazard Management in the Cayman Islands urged residents to move inland and to higher ground. Wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter were expected.
In Cuba, the government also advised people to leave beachfront areas, while the Dominican Republic recommended moving to higher ground, over 20 metres in altitude and 2 km inland, though this warning was eventually revoked.
The Bahamas Department of Meteorology also issued a tsunami advisory, urging residents to stay vigilant. Meanwhile, Honduran authorities reported no immediate damages but recommended staying away from beaches.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a report stating that tsunami waves reaching 1 to 3 meters above the tide level were possible along some coasts of Cuba.
However, NOAA noted that actual wave heights could vary based on local features.
Local governments in the affected regions have been working closely with emergency agencies, monitoring the situation as aftershocks are still possible.
