A 6.8 magnitude earthquake rocked eastern Cuba on Sunday, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
It shook buildings in Santiago de Cuba, the island's second largest city, and the surrounding countryside.
The powerful earthquake struck Cuba's southeastern coast near Bartolome Maso in Granma province. During the Cuban Revolution, this was the headquarters of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
Eastern Cuba has experienced seismic activity due to its position along the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. Although major earthquakes are relatively rare, the region experiences occasional tremors. This latest event highlights the ongoing geological dynamics of the area.
According to several residents in the area, the earthquake felt stronger than any they had ever experienced, Reuters reported.
The quake was at 14km, the USGS said. The earthquake was earlier measured at 5.8, a figure revised upwards. Pilon was damaged near the quake's epicentre. Santiago residents were shaken by the earthquake. The Cuban capital Havana was not affected.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat expected from this quake.
The eastern end of the island was devastated by Hurricane Oscar in October. And in the aftermath of Hurricane Rafael, Cuba's electricity grid collapsed last week, leaving 10 million without power.
Residents are being urged to remain vigilant as aftershocks are likely to occur following the initial quake. These aftershocks can cause additional damage to already weakened structures and pose further risks to safety. Emergency services are on high alert, ready to respond to any new incidents that may arise in the aftermath.