Earthquake affects tank pilings of the Guanito Aqueduct and raises alarm in Granma

The intense earthquake that struck Eastern Cuba this Sunday caused significant damage to the infrastructure in several towns in Granma province, particularly affecting the elevated tank of the Guanito Aqueduct in the municipality of Niquero.

According to a Facebook post by Cuscó Tarradell, a local journalist, the columns of the tank –which is elevated high off the ground– are showing severe cracks and are at risk of collapse, posing an immediate danger to the nearby community.

In his message, Tarradell urged residents and workers in the area to stay away from the site to avoid accidents. "The structure is seriously damaged and could completely collapse," the journalist warned.

The effects of the earthquake have not been limited to the aqueduct. According to Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, the first secretary of the Party in Granma, partial collapses were reported in homes and state buildings, as well as downed power poles and structural damage in several municipalities, including Pilón, Manzanillo, Bayamo, and Niquero.

Authorities have activated commissions to assess the damages and secure the affected areas, as well as health teams to attend to vulnerable individuals who may require transportation to safe locations.

A symbol of the community, the Cabo Cruz Lighthouse also sustained significant damage to its structure. This historic lighthouse, which is 153 years old, is one of the buildings affected in the fishing community of Cabo Cruz, where authorities have urged residents to stay in open areas and avoid places at risk of collapse, such as the breakwater.

For its part, the Electric Company of Granma reported service interruptions in the province, affecting over 14,000 users. According to the state newspaper Granma, the power lines and transformers in several areas have collapsed, and restoring electricity will depend on safety assessments at the damaged sites.

In the neighboring province of Holguín, the quake was felt in several municipalities, but the Civil Defense authorities confirmed that no damage to infrastructure or injuries have been reported. However, the fear of potential aftershocks has led many families to stay in open areas, worried about the possible collapse of their homes.

The earthquakes in eastern Cuba have created a situation of uncertainty and an urgent need for security measures in the affected areas, while authorities continue their evaluations and response actions.