Huge 7.7 Earthquake Strikes Off Jamaican Coast

7.7 quake strikes off coast of Jamaica

A tsunami warning has been issued for parts of the Caribbean after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off the coast of Jamaica.

According to information from the United States Geological Survey, the quake struck just off the northwest Jamaican coast, about 73 miles from Lucea on the island. Shaking has been reportedly felt across the nearby islands.

Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman islands are currently under a tsunami watch, according to the International Tsunami Information Center. Waves of up to 3 feet could also land on the coasts of Mexico, Belize and Honduras, the center reported.

The quake was initially reported by the USGS as a 7.3, but that was later revised to a 7.7.

It's not immediately clear whether there has been any damage or injuries. Officials in Cuba said there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

Belkis Guerrero told the Associated Press that the shaking could be felt very strongly in the city of Santiago.

"We were all sitting and we felt the chairs move. We heard the noise of everything moving around," she said. "It felt very strong but it doesn't look like anything happened."

There have been reports of sinkholes opening up around the islands, the territory's Disaster Management Agency said.

This is a breaking news update. More details will be added as they become available.

Photo: U.S. Geological Survey


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