A 6.8 magnitude earthquake rattled eastern Cuba on Sunday, adding to the challenges the island has faced in recent weeks.
This latest seismic event follows a series of natural disasters, including hurricanes and prolonged power outages, which have already left many Cubans in distress.
The earthquake struck around 25 miles (40 km) south of Bartolomé Masó, as reported by the United States Geological Survey.
The tremors were felt across the eastern part of the island, including Cuba’s second-largest city, Santiago de Cuba. Despite the intensity of the quake, there were no immediate reports of significant damage or injuries.
However, the emotional toll was evident as residents, particularly in Santiago, rushed into the streets in fear.
Yolanda Tabío, a 76-year-old local, described how the quake caused buildings to shake violently, with people remaining on edge long after the rumbling stopped.
Santiago residents remain on edge after a strong earthquake rattles eastern Cuba this Sunday.She also noted that several aftershocks followed, but, as of yet, damage reports were limited to emotional distress.
This earthquake comes during a particularly difficult period for the Cuban people.
Earlier in the week, Hurricane Rafael, a Category 3 storm, tore through western Cuba, leaving widespread destruction.
The hurricane knocked out power across the island, displaced thousands, and destroyed homes.
The storm was the latest in a series of devastating events for the island.
A few weeks earlier, widespread blackouts had already triggered protests in response to Cuba’s ongoing energy crisis, further exacerbating public frustration.
With the island still grappling with the aftermath of these natural disasters, many Cubans are enduring more hardship than ever.
The combination of earthquakes, hurricanes, and power shortages has only intensified the strain, leaving citizens to navigate both environmental and social challenges.