HAVANA — A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale rattled eastern Cuba on Sunday, compounding the challenges faced by residents still recovering from recent hurricanes and ongoing electricity outages.
The quake had its epicenter located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Bartolomé Masó, as revealed by a report from the United States Geological Survey.
Residents from across the eastern region, including the major city of Santiago de Cuba, reported feeling the tremors. Fortunately, there have been no immediate confirmations of damage or injuries following the incident.
In Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city, many inhabitants were visibly shaken by the experience. Yolanda Tabío, a 76-year-old resident, noted how crowds spilled into the streets, with others nervously sitting at their doorways. She recounted feeling at least two aftershocks in the aftermath of the quake but had not heard of anyone suffering damage among her relatives or friends. “You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything,” she expressed, reflecting her astonishment at the quake’s force.
This earthquake struck amidst a particularly trying period for the nation.
Just last Wednesday, Hurricane Rafael, categorized as a Category 3 storm, made landfall in western Cuba. The strong winds from the hurricane triggered widespread power outages across the island, wrecking numerous homes and necessitating evacuations for hundreds of thousands of individuals. In the aftermath, many areas remained without electrical service for several days.
The troubles didn’t start there. Earlier in October, the country endured a severe sequence of blackouts that lasted for several days, symptoms of the ongoing energy crisis the nation is facing. Shortly thereafter, a powerful hurricane struck the eastern coast, unfortunately claiming the lives of at least six individuals.
These prolonged blackouts, along with rising frustration among a populace faced with significant hardship, have incited small protests throughout the country, highlighting the growing discontent among its citizens.
