Residents across Antigua and Barbuda and neighboring islands were jolted Saturday morning after a powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake struck northeast of Antigua, according to preliminary seismic data.

Initial information from the seismic monitoring network indicates the quake occurred at approximately 10:50 a.m. AST and was located about 80 kilometres northeast of St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.

The earthquake was recorded at a depth of 31.3 kilometres beneath the earth’s surface, with coordinates placing the event at approximately 17.39° North latitude and 61.18° West longitude.

The tremor was strong enough to be felt in several parts of Antigua and Barbuda, with residents taking to social media moments after the shaking began to report their experiences. Early reports suggest many people felt prolonged shaking, though there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The Eastern Caribbean frequently experiences seismic activity due to tectonic movement along the boundary between the Caribbean and North American plates. However, earthquakes of this magnitude often generate widespread concern across the region.

Countries and territories within the affected zone include Antigua and Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Saint Barthélemy, Anguilla, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Venezuela, and the Caribbean Netherlands.

Authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation and provide updates if necessary.

Antigua.news will continue following developments as more information becomes available.