Barbados shaken by magnitude 5.4 earthquake

An earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 rattled parts of Barbados on Tuesday, however, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The Trinidad & Tobago-based University of the West Indies (UWI) Seismic Research Centre (SRC) said the earthquake, which occurred at 11:26 am local time, was felt 24 kilometers (15 miles) southwest of the capital, Bridgetown. The earthquake was also felt 160 kilometers (100 miles) east of Kingstown, St Vincent & the Grenadines and 179 kilometers (111 miles) southeast of Castries in St Lucia. It had a depth of 25.8 kilometers (16 miles).

Authorities in Barbados advised residents that it was safe to continue normal activities as there were no tsunami threats.

“No tsunami threat from this earthquake to Barbados based on available data,” authorities said, adding “There are no impacts expected in our area.”

“Safely continue on with your normal activities for the day. No need for any panic at this point,” they added. -(CMC)