Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake Strikes Off Western Cuba; Felt as Far as Florida

(Central News Agency, Havana, 8th, Combined Foreign Reports) A strong earthquake struck off the western coast of Cuba today. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude of 6.1. According to reports, panicked residents fled outdoors, and tremors were felt as far away as the U.S. state of Florida.

An AFP reporter in the Cuban capital, Havana, reported that the earthquake lasted about 20 seconds, causing people to rush out of their homes and into the streets.

The U.S. Geological Survey stated that the epicenter was located approximately 100 kilometers off the western tip of Cuba.

Carmel Delgado, a 47-year-old economist, told AFP: "At first, I just felt dizzy and didn't think it was an earthquake. I've never experienced one. But as soon as we realized it might be an earthquake, we ran outside immediately."

Cuban authorities stated that the quake was felt across the entire western part of the country. According to an AFP reporter, it was even felt as far away as Florida.