03 Sep 2023 | 08:18 AM UTC
Caribbean: Magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurs off the north coast of British Virgin Islands at 03:49 Sept. 3
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurs off north coast of British Virgin Islands at 03:49 Sept. 3. No initial reports of damage or casualties.
Event
A magnitude-5.3 earthquake occurred off the north coast of the British Virgin Islands at 03:49 Sept. 3. The epicenter was about 33 km (21 miles) north by northeast of Road Town. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 1 km (0.6 miles), and light shaking was probably felt throughout the northern Leeward Islands. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. 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
Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings where shaking occurred until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Monitor and plan for aftershocks.
