Devastating 6.8 Earthquake Strikes Cuba: Storm-Battered Region Faces New Crisis
On November 10, 2024, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Cuba, impacting the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Granma. The powerful tremor, which originated about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Bartolome Maso, has added strain to a region still reeling from recent hurricanes, leaving many areas dealing with compounded damage and widespread blackouts.
The earthquake, which struck around noon local time, had a shallow depth of only 14 kilometers (9 miles), making it intensely felt across southeastern Cuba and even reaching parts of nearby Jamaica. Residents described it as one of the strongest quakes they’d ever experienced, with buildings shaking violently, walls and rooftops sustaining visible damage, and many people left visibly shaken. Santiago resident Griselda Fernandez shared with Reuters, “We’ve felt earthquakes in the past, but nothing like this.” Yolanda Tabio, a 76-year-old resident, added, “You had to see how everything was moving, the walls, everything”.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel confirmed the extent of the initial damage, reporting landslides, destruction of homes, and power line disruptions. “We are beginning to assess the damage in order to begin recovery. The first and most important thing is to save lives,” he stated. Emergency teams have been mobilized to evaluate structural damage across towns, with early reports indicating that many older buildings, particularly those with concrete block structures, have suffered cracks, roof collapses, and facade damage.
The earthquake is the latest disaster to hit Cuba following recent storms. Just last week, Hurricane Rafael had left its mark by cutting power to over 10 million residents, uprooting trees, and damaging telephone poles across eastern Cuba. In October, Hurricane Oscar brought heavy rains, devastating floods, and power outages, leaving six people dead and many areas struggling to recover.
Cuban state media have circulated images of damaged homes, shattered windows, and collapsed structures, emphasizing the urgency of aid and repair efforts. With this earthquake exacerbating the ongoing infrastructure and economic challenges Cuba faces, the government is calling on regional assistance and resources to aid in both immediate relief and long-term recovery.
As Cuban communities attempt to rebuild amid economic strain and limited resources, this earthquake underscores the ongoing resilience required from a population that has faced relentless natural disasters.
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