Breaking News: A 5.7 magnitude quake strikes near the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and causes minor damage.. Read More.

Breaking News: A 5.7 magnitude quake strikes near the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico and causes minor damage.. Read More.

 

BREAKING NEWS: 5.7 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Near Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico — Minor Damage Reported

 

A **5.7 magnitude earthquake** struck the waters between the **Dominican Republic** and **Puerto Rico** earlier today, causing tremors to be felt across both islands and prompting a wave of concern — though **no major injuries or fatalities** have been reported.

 

### 🌍 Epicenter and Impact

 

According to the **United States Geological Survey (USGS)**, the quake occurred at approximately **10:43 AM local time**, with its epicenter located **roughly 45 kilometers northeast of Punta Cana** in the Dominican Republic and at a shallow depth of **12 kilometers** beneath the ocean floor.

 

Residents in **San Juan**, **Santo Domingo**, and coastal towns in both territories reported light to moderate shaking, with brief panic in some urban centers as buildings trembled and items fell from shelves.

 

### 🔍 Damage Reports

 

Preliminary assessments from local emergency management agencies indicate **minor structural damage**, including:

 

* Cracked walls in several residential buildings

* Fallen power lines in isolated areas

* Disruptions to electricity and mobile networks in parts of eastern Puerto Rico

* Minor damage to some docks and coastal infrastructure in the Dominican Republic

 

Authorities have confirmed that **no tsunami warning** has been issued, as the quake’s magnitude and depth were not sufficient to generate dangerous waves.

 

### 🗣️ Officials React

 

Puerto Rico Governor **Pedro Pierluisi** released a statement reassuring the public:

 

> “Our emergency teams are actively assessing the situation. At this time, we are thankful that the impact appears limited. I urge all residents to stay alert and follow updates from official channels.”

 

Meanwhile, Dominican Republic’s Center for Emergency Operations (COE) has activated its **Level 1 Alert** for coastal regions, advising residents to avoid weakened structures and report any hazards immediately.

 

### 📊 Regional Seismic Activity

 

This latest tremor is a reminder of the Caribbean’s vulnerability to seismic activity, as the region sits along the boundary of the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. The area has seen increased seismic movement in recent months, including several smaller quakes near **Haiti** and **the Virgin Islands**.

 

### 📢 What’s Next

 

Seismologists warn that **aftershocks are possible** in the next 24–48 hours. Residents are advised to:

 

* Review emergency plans

* Avoid damaged structures

* Stay tuned to official updates from USGS and local authorities

 

—

 

Though the quake brought temporary panic, both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic appear to have **weathered the event with minimal harm** — a relief for two nations all too familiar with the devastating power of natural disasters.

 

We’ll continue to update this story as more information becomes available.