Jamaica hit by 7.7 magnitude earthquake

An Earthquake measuring 7.7 magnitudes on the Richter scale has struck 72 miles off the coastal town of Lucea in Jamaica and south of Cuba. Subsequently, Tsunami warnings have been issued, which included the Cayman Islands, after the earthquake hit north of the Jamaican coast.

The Jamaica Gleaner reports that the quake was felt in several of the island’s parishes, including Kingston, St Andrew, St Ann, St Catherine, and Manchester.

Some reports suggest that it is the highest magnitude earthquake both of the islands have ever recorded.

One woman said she felt tremors as far away as Miami and said she felt her whole building swaying and shared a video of lamps shaking.

“We heard the noise of everything moving around. It felt very strong but it doesn’t look like anything happened,” said one Cuban resident.

The tremor was so big that and schools in Jamaica and buildings in Miami were evacuated.

The center of the quake was a relatively shallow six miles beneath the surface of the ocean, prompting fears of damage. Shallower earthquakes tend to be more destructive.

It’s not immediately clear if there is any damage or injuries.