Haiti: Damage and casualties reported following magnitude-4.9 offshore earthquake off Grand'Anse Department at around 05:11 June 6

Event

Damage and casualties have been reported following a magnitude-4.9 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Grand'Anse Department at around 05:11 June 6. The epicenter was about 9 km (6 miles) northeast of Les Abricots. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and light shaking was reportedly felt across much of the western Tiburon Peninsula. Civil protection authorities have reported at least three fatalities occurred after the earthquake caused a house to collapse in Jeremie; response operations are ongoing as of June 6. There have been reports of further damage caused by the quake; however, it could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Much of Haiti has been suffering from widespread flooding in recent days, which has resulted in 42 fatalities and has increased the population's vulnerability to other natural disasters due to the strain on resources and infrastructure. Light aftershocks are likely over the coming days. The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.