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Authorities continued to assess on Tuesday the damage from the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that shook southeastern Cuba early Monday, resulting in significant destruction across several areas of Santiago de Cuba and Granma.
The first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in Santiago, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, along with Governor Manuel Falcón Hernández and key leaders from the municipality of Guamá, toured the affected areas to assess the damage caused by the strong tremor, as reported by the official portal Cubadebate.
Preliminarily, damage has been reported in at least seven homes, three state entities, and on the Granma highway, particularly in the section of Babujal, which connects the popular councils of Ocujal del Turquino and Uvero.
There were landslides that blocked vehicle access with rocks measuring up to two meters in diameter.
The president of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power, Yurdis Batista Espinosa, stated that the local government has implemented an alternative transportation system using buses and trucks to transport residents of La Plata and Ocujal to the municipal center of Chivirico.
"We have been organizing this transfer since the early hours of the morning, and so far it has gone quite well. Public health and education conditions, as well as the distribution of basic goods, are steady, so there are no obstacles to essential services," he stated.
For her part, Caridaniuska Chong Guerra, the first secretary of the Municipal Party Committee in Guamá, explained that although the Defense Council is not activated, a response team has been mobilized to address any seismic situation.
"We have an organized system for evacuation and transfer, and we have been able to ensure emergency medical care," he added.
In the neighboring province of Granma, damages were also reported in residential buildings and state institutions, primarily affecting the walls of these structures, which showed visible cracks.
During a videoconference held in Bayamo, the first secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Party, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, and the governor, Yanetsy Terry Gutiérrez, stated that no deaths or injuries were reported as a result of the earthquake. Additionally, the province's reservoirs continue to operate normally.
Ortiz Barceló urged families to prepare their emergency bags, including essential items such as medications, drinking water, and identification cards, among others.
In several municipalities, such as Pilón, children were instructed in advance on what to do in the event of an earthquake, which are becoming increasingly intense in that area following the one that occurred a few weeks ago.
The earthquake on Monday occurred around 1:00 a.m. (local time), and its epicenter was located in the southwest of Santiago de Cuba.
Frequently asked questions about the earthquake in eastern Cuba
What was the magnitude of the earthquake in eastern Cuba?
The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale, and its epicenter was located 35 kilometers southwest of Chivirico, in Santiago de Cuba.
What damage was reported after the earthquake on December 23, 2024?
The earthquake caused damage to homes, government entities, and roads, particularly in Santiago de Cuba and Granma. Cracks and landslides were reported, obstructing roads with large boulders.
How many aftershocks have been recorded following the earthquake in Santiago de Cuba?
As of 5:50 a.m. on December 23, 2024, a total of 241 aftershocks from the earthquake had been recorded, of which three were perceptible.
What protective measures have been implemented in the areas affected by the earthquake?
The authorities implemented an alternative transportation system, evacuated residents from upper floors, and prepared emergency backpacks. An evacuation and emergency medical care plan was activated for those affected in Santiago de Cuba and Granma.
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