5.0 magnitude quake strikes Dominican Republic close to border with Haiti

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — A 5.0 magnitude earthquake struck the northwest Dominican Republic on Friday close to the border with Haiti.

The tremor occurred at a depth of 12 miles (19 kilometers) simply west-northwest of Las Matas de Santa Cruz, in response to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Officers within the Dominican Republic mentioned the quake was felt within the border city of Montecristi all the best way south to the capital of Santo Domingo.

It was the strongest earthquake to hit the nation this yr, Dominican geologist Osiris de León mentioned.

Jenrry Castro, mayor of the northwest city of Villa Vazquez, posted on X, previously generally known as Twitter, that minor injury was reported in two faculties. Merchandise additionally fell off supermarkets cabinets within the space, he mentioned, including that crews had been inspecting all faculties and municipal buildings within the city.

The quake occurred in an space that has develop into a flashpoint in an ongoing border dispute between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

No instant injury or accidents had been reported in Haiti.

The island of Hispaniola shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic sits atop the Enriquillo–Plantain Backyard fault zone, in response to the U.S. Geological Survey.