A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck the central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on Wednesday afternoon, triggering rapid official assessments of potential tsunami risks for nearby Caribbean island nations. According to preliminary data released by the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service, the seismic event hit at 2:57 p.m. local Atlantic Standard Time, roughly 10 kilometers beneath the ocean surface. Its epicenter was pinned near geographic coordinates 0.4 degrees south latitude and 20 degrees west longitude.
Within an hour of the quake, the national meteorological agency issued an official Tsunami Information Statement at 3:15 p.m. AST to calm public concern, confirming that the seismic activity does not generate any meaningful tsunami hazard for Antigua and Barbuda. While officials acknowledged a tiny chance that minor tsunami waves could impact Atlantic coastlines located closest to the epicenter, they emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda faces no imminent danger and no emergency response measures are needed for the country at this time.
To boost community preparedness, the meteorological service has urged residents across the country, particularly those living in low-lying coastal districts, to stay tuned to future official updates. It also encouraged local communities to use this event as a timely opportunity to revisit their established tsunami evacuation protocols, re-familiarize themselves with pre-marked safe evacuation zones, and ensure all household members understand emergency protocols. The agency added that no additional public statements will be released going forward unless new seismic data emerges or the risk situation changes materially.