A strong earthquake, with a magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter Scale, occurred on Saturday May 16^th.

Based on information from the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (UWI-SRC), it took place at 10:50am local time. It was located at Latitude: 17.39 degrees N, Longitude: 61.18 degrees W and struck at a depth of 31 km.

The quake occurred 80 km NE of Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, 132 km NE of Brades, Montserrat and 132 km NNE of Point-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe.

Although UWI listed these countries, there were numerous reports of persons feeling the quake from St. Kitts, Nevis, Montserrat, Martinique and St. Martin. Nonetheless, no injuries or deaths were reported.

Prior to this, a quake with a magnitude of 3.6 occurred on Friday May 15^th, at 9:10pm. It took place 52 km NNE of Saint John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, 101 km NE Brades, Montserrat and 115 km ENE of Basseterre, St. Kitts.

UWI-SRC said on social media following Saturday’s quake: “we can expect aftershocks after the event off Antigua. Some of these maybe magnitude 3.5 and above and likely to be felt.” As such, UWI is urging all to “do not panic, stay calm, Drop, Cover and Hold On. Do not run outside while the shaking is happening.”