Magnitude 5.8 Earthquake hits off Cuba

HAVANA, Mar 17 (AFP): A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Cuba early Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The quake hit at a depth of 11.6 kilometers (7.2 miles) about 49 kilometers south-southwest of Cuba's easternmost municipality of Maisi at 12:28 am (0428 GMT), according to the USGS.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Cuba is trying to restore electricity following a total power blackout on Monday, as the United States pursues its oil blockade against the island's communist government.

The USGS put the alert level for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses at green, meaning "low likelihood for casualties and damage".

The quake was first reported by the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, which also logged aftershocks of up to 4.7-magnitude.

Cuba's seismological service said it received perceptibility reports from the Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo provinces. The epicentre was around 95 kilometers from Guantanamo.

On March 6, a 5.0-magnitude quake was recorded off the coast of Cuba, according to the USGS.