Strong earthquake rattles Cuba and parts of eastern Caribbean

November 11, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BARTOLOME MASO, CUBA— AN EARTHQUAKE INITIALLY MEASURED AT 6.8 MAGNITUDE STRUCK EASTERN CUBA on Sunday, the Associated Press and the U.S. Geological Survey each report. The epicenter of the quake was located about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Bartolome Maso, Cuba. According to a report and map on the U.S. Geological Survey’s website, the 6.8 tremblor happened just before noon local time on Nov. 10, with smaller quakes (or aftershocks) also measuring from 4.2 to 4.6. Quakes were also felt or measured in Jamaica, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, as well as open sea north and east of that U.S. territory.

Before Sunday’s earthquake, Cuba was also reeling from last Wednesday’s landfall of Hurricane Rafael, which caused massive power failures, on top of what the country had already experienced. Hurricane Rafael also destroyed hundreds of homes and forced the evacuation of thousands.

Cuban immigrants have become a growing part of Brooklyn’s Hispanic communities, particularly in Sunset Park, Bay Ridge and parts of Bushwick. One Brooklyn Heights congregation, First Presbyterian Church, has operated a White Rose ministry to Cuba and organized mission trips to the island nation, which is about 265 miles from Miami, Florida. First Church Brooklyn partners with several sister congregations and ecumenical centers in Cuba.

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