MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – A magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS says the quake hit at 2:10 p.m. ET and it was centered 86 miles northwest of Montego Bay, Jamaica, and 87 miles west-southwest of Niquero, Cuba.
The earthquake could be felt strongly in Santiago, the largest far-eastern Cuban city.
As of 3:19 p.m. ET, 411 people had reported that they felt the earthquake, according to the USGS
Officials say the epicenter was reportedly a relatively shallow 6 miles beneath the surface.
An earthquake of this scale is categorized as a major quake and can cause serious damage. However, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
According to ABC Affilate WPLG in Miami, people reported buildings shaking as a result of the quake. They also said Miami City Commissioner Ken Russell stated "eight buildings in the Brickell and downtown areas self-evacuated and the building department was on-site."
Hector Torres shared this video with ABC Action News which shows lights inside his Miami apartment swaying after the quake.
#BREAKING 2:30PM in #MIAMI swaying from the 7.7 #earthquake that hit off the coast of #Jamaica. #Cuba also in the way. As a cuban, my heart is heavy with this news. pic.twitter.com/XtgosR2Msz
— Hector Torres (@hectorology) January 28, 2020
We are currently assisting @CityofMiamiFire with reports of vibrations in the #Brickell and #Downtown areas. There are NO road closures at this time. pic.twitter.com/OFNozHgo0M
— Miami PD (@MiamiPD) January 28, 2020
According to the USGS, there have been three recorded aftershocks in the area.
A 4.5 magnitude earthquake happened SE of the East End of Cayman Islands at 2:32 p.m. A 4.7 magnitude earthquake was registered NW of Lucea, Jamaica at 3:39 p.m and a 4.9 magnitude quake was registered at 3:59 p.m. also SE of the East End of Cayman Islands.
Over in Puerto Rico, the island felt nearly a dozen earthquakes in just January 2020 alone. ABC Action News reporter and anchor Vanessa Araiza was in Puerto Rico last week to survey the damages and spoke with families picking up the pieces.
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