A tsunami warning has been lifted in the Caribbean after a powerful earthquake this evening.
The 7.7 magnitude quake struck 125km northwest of the Jamaican coastal town of Lucea at a depth of around 10 km, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The International Tsunami Information Centre issued a warning for Jamaica, Cuba and the Cayman Islands.
“Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300km of the epicentre along the coasts of Jamaica [...] the Cayman Islands and Cuba,” it said.
It also warned that waves of up to three feet were possible on the coasts of Mexico, Belize and Honduras.
However, shortly after 9pm Irish time the centre the threat had "now largely passed."
#EarthquakeUpdate Tsunami Map showing areas of Jamaica that could be impacted by waves (in yellow) not exceeding 3 feet pic.twitter.com/WeLZUGhGTZ
— ODPEM (@odpem) January 28, 2020
The Cayman Islands Hazard Management Agency said a tsunami consisting of waves between one and three feet may have been generated by the tremor.
It warned citizens to move away from coastal areas and evacuate to higher ground or strong multi-story buildings where possible.
It is likely a tsunami wave of between 1 and 3 feet may have been generated following a 7.7 M earthquake approx 75 miles ESE of the Sister Islands A tsunami is a series of waves. Move away from coastal areas and evacuation vertically if possible. pic.twitter.com/fdeNDO56yY
— Hazard Management CI (@CINEOC) January 28, 2020
The Jamaican disaster agency said a tsunami with waves of up to one metre was possible for the capital Kingston.
Officials in Cuba said there were no immediate reports of damage or injury; however, the quake could be felt strongly in Santiago.
