Major Earthquake Strikes Central Cuba, Causing Widespread Damage and Power Outages
(HAVANA, Cuba) — A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck the central region of Cuba on Sunday afternoon, resulting in significant structural damage, at least two confirmed fatalities, and a widespread power outage affecting more than 300,000 residents, according to official reports.
The seismic event occurred at 2:47 PM local time, with the epicenter located approximately 40 kilometers south of the city of Sancti Spíritus, at a depth of 10 kilometers, as confirmed by the United States Geological Survey. The quake was felt across multiple provinces, including Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, and Ciego de Ávila, prompting emergency evacuations.
Authorities from the Cuban National Civil Defense confirmed that at least two individuals were killed when a residential building collapsed in the municipality of Yaguajay. At least 15 others sustained injuries, with five requiring hospitalization for trauma-related conditions.
The national electric grid operator reported that the earthquake triggered automatic shutdowns at three major power plants, leading to a total blackout in the central region. "We are prioritizing the restoration of critical infrastructure, including hospitals and water pumping stations," stated a spokesperson for the Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Rescue teams have been deployed to affected areas, where they are conducting search-and-recovery operations in partially collapsed structures. International aid offers have been received from Venezuela, Mexico, and Russia, according to the Cuban Foreign Ministry.
This incident comes amid an ongoing economic crisis and previous hurricane damage, exacerbating vulnerabilities in the nation's housing and energy sectors. Officials are urging residents to avoid damaged buildings and to stay tuned to official channels for updates on aftershocks and recovery efforts.