A 5.6 strong earthquake hits near Martinique; no damage reported

FORT-DE-FRANCE, Martinique _ A magnitude-5.6 earthquake has struck off the west coast of the French Caribbean island of Martinique, but no damage has been reported.

Authorities say the temblor occurred before dawn on Monday at a depth of nearly 160 kilometres (99 miles). It was located 19 miles (32 kilometres) west of the capital of Fort-de-France.

Martinique’s government said the quake did not cause any reported damage.

Martinique was last struck by a powerful temblor in 2007, when a magnitude-7.4 quake centred just northwest of the island severely damaged some buildings.

The Associated Press