Strongest Earthquake of the Year Hits Northwest Dominican Republic

Minor damages reported in Villa Vazquez; no immediate damage or injuries in Haiti

A 5.0 magnitude earthquake, the strongest of the year, struck the northwest Dominican Republic near the border with Haiti.
The tremor occurred at a depth of 12 miles just west-northwest of Las Matas de Santa Cruz, and was felt from the border town of Montecristi to the capital, Santo Domingo.
Minor damages were reported in the town of Villa Vazquez, with two schools affected and products falling off supermarket shelves.
The earthquake occurred in an area that has been a point of contention in an ongoing border dispute between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Despite the proximity to the epicenter, no immediate damage or injuries were reported in Haiti.