A magnitude-6.0 earthquake struck northwest of Port-of-Spain on 29 September 2006, shaking buildings across Trinidad and Tobago for roughly 15 seconds and triggering widespread power outages throughout both islands. The US Geological Survey placed the epicenter about 41 kilometers from the capital, while Venezuela's seismological institute recorded the quake at 6.1 and noted that tremors were felt across much of eastern Venezuela.
Authorities activated the Emergency Operations Centre and dispatched aerial reconnaissance teams to the northern and eastern regions of Trinidad. No fatalities were immediately confirmed by the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management. Water service was cut to large areas in Trinidad's north and east, and air traffic at Piarco National Airport was briefly suspended as passengers and staff were evacuated.
Residents contacted radio stations to describe property damage, including cracked walls and structural concerns at homes and government buildings. Repair crews from the national electricity company were sent to restore lines in and around the capital.
Trinidad and Tobago, a nation of more than 1.3 million people, relies heavily on oil and petrochemical industries, while the smaller island of Tobago depends more on tourism.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in September 2006, in its own words.