5.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Jamaica, No Immediate Reports of Injuries or Serious Damage

Earthquake causes widespread panic and interrupts U.N. meeting, with minor damage to buildings and grocery items off shelves despite no immediate reports of casualties.

A 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck Jamaica near Hope Bay, inciting panic as people fled from buildings and items toppled off grocery store shelves.
Despite the substantial shaking and some reported building damage, there were no immediate reports of injuries or severe destruction.
The earthquake interrupted a U.N.'s International Seabed Authority meeting, leading members to postpone the meeting to the late afternoon due to ongoing apprehension.
While smaller earthquakes occur frequently in Jamaica, larger ones are rare, with significant seismic activities recorded in 1692, 1907, and 1957 causing notable damage and loss of life.
Jamaica lies on the Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone, shared with Haiti and the Dominican Republic, contributing to the regular seismic activities experienced on the island.