- Cuba suffers earthquake after damage from recent storms
- 6.8 magnitude earthquake hits eastern Cuba
- Cuba has faced a wave of natural disasters in recent months
- Hurricane Oscar, Hurricane Rafael and widespread power outages
Cuba suffers earthquake after damage from recent storms
Cuba continues to face a wave of natural disasters that are straining the island’s already fragile infrastructure and deepening economic hardships for its population.
The latest challenge comes in the form of a tremor, adding to a series of recent calamities. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported on Sunday that a magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit about 40km (25 miles) south of the town of Bartolome Maso. No deaths or injuries have been reported so far.
“There have been landslides, damage to homes and power lines,” Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said in a social media post, adding that the areas of Santiago de Cuba and Granma were affected.
“We are beginning to assess the damage in order to begin recovery. The first and most important thing is to save lives,”
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel
In October, Hurricane Oscar caused heavy rains, and widespread power outages and killed at least six, after making landfall in eastern Cuba.
Last week, Hurricane Rafael delivered another blow, leaving at least 10 million people without power as it tore through the island’s eastern regions. The storm caused widespread devastation, uprooting trees, knocking down telephone poles, and destroying hundreds of buildings. The aftermath displaced hundreds of thousands of residents, many of whom are now struggling to find shelter and resources.
These back-to-back disasters have exposed the island’s vulnerable infrastructure and highlighted the immense challenges faced by communities already grappling with economic insecurity.
Recovery efforts are underway, but the scale of the damage underscores the urgent need for comprehensive support to help Cuba rebuild and prepare for future crises.
