Major Caribbean earthquake triggers tsunami alerts

Published

1 month ago

February 9, 2025

editor

A powerful 7.6-magnitude earthquake has struck the Caribbean Sea triggering tsunami warnings for a number of countries, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has said.

Officials say the earthquake’s epicentre is about 20 miles (32.1km) north of Honduras and 130 miles (209.2km) south-west of the Cayman Islands.

A number of tsunami alerts have been issued for the region including the coast of Colombia, Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Cuba.

The National Weather Service initially sent out a tsunami advisory for potential hazards for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands – but this alert was cancelled about 45 minutes after it was issued.

“While alerts have ended, strong and unusual currents may continue. Be careful near the water and use caution,” the National Tsunami Warning Centre said.

“Refer to the latest information from local emergency management.”

But, the Cayman Islands’ government has warned residents it remains “under a tsunami threat”.

“Residents living near the coastline are encouraged to move inland.”

The USGS said large earthquakes at this location of the plate boundary are not unexpected.

In 2018 a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred nearby, causing some damage and a small tsunami, it said.

“Luckily, the remote location of these earthquakes limits the potential for significant damage due to shaking,” it added.

Separately, the US National Tsunami Warning Centre said there are no alerts for the mainland US coast.

(BBC)

Boossa Prison jailor remanded over ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder

Published

2 hours ago

March 17, 2025

editor

A Jailor at the Boossa Prison, who had brought underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne also known as “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” to court on the day he was killed inside the Hulftsdorp court premises, has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

Subsequently, he has been ordered to be remanded until March 21, after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Presenting the suspect to the court, the Colombo Crimes Division officials have stated that the murdered suspect, “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, had been brought to court by the arrested Jailer on the day of the assassination.

Police informed the court that investigations are underway to determine whether the crime was committed due to the Jailor’s dereliction of duty.

Police also pointed out to the court that investigations have revealed that the suspected prison officer had not taken any steps to arrest the individual who shot at “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” within the court premises and fled.

During the trial, police also requested permission to obtain a record of the suspect’s mobile phone calls for further investigations.

The court granted permission for the requests and ordered the suspect to be remanded until March 21.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)