Jamaica Hit By 5.4 Magnitude Earthquake on Monday Afternoon

KINGSTON, Jamaica – An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.6 rocked Jamaica on Monday, but there were no immediate reports of serious damage or injuries.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a statement saying that no deaths or severe damage had been reported. He is urging his fellow Jamaicans to “remain calm”. Small earthquakes are common in Jamaica, but strong ones are rare. The island sits on a fault zone along with Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Cuba.

Prime Minister Holness is also asking that people stay in a safe place in case of aftershocks, adding that the earthquake temporarily left certain areas without electricity and phone service. Pictures and videos posted on social media show damage to some buildings and the authorities announced early closure of some schools. Several buildings across the Corporate Area have been evacuated following the tremor with workers hurdled together outside.

The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the quake occurred at approximately 10:57 am (local time) at a depth of 17 kilometers (10.56 miles).

The quake was also felt in the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, United States Minor Outlying Islands, and Cuba.