Quintana Roo, Mexico — A magnitude 6.1 earthquake centered in Cuba shook buildings across Quintana Roo on Monday, prompting widespread confusion among residents and tourists who wondered why no earthquake alert sounded on their phones or through public speakers.
The answer is straightforward: Quintana Roo does not have a seismic alert system with speakers in its cities. The state’s geographic location on the Yucatan Peninsula means the risk of significant earthquakes is minimal, and when tremors do occur, the danger is very low, according to authorities.
Despite the low risk, the shaking caused fear in high-rise buildings such as hotels, where tourists accustomed to emergency plans were caught off guard.
Many expected their cellphones to provide an automatic warning, but the state lacks coverage for automatic seismic alerts because earthquakes are not a frequent occurrence. Additionally, the epicenter was outside the country, which further limited the existing alert system’s ability to notify residents. People only realized it was an earthquake after feeling the initial tremor and seeing others evacuate homes and workplaces.
Governor Mara Lezama confirmed in a video message that there is no tsunami risk following the Cuban earthquake. She urged residents to follow home inspection protocols and report any issues to authorities. In case of aftershocks, officials recommend staying calm, not running, not shouting, and not pushing.
