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Caribbean tsunami warning after earthquake off Honduras

Tsunami warnings were issued in the early hours of the morning for parts of the Caribbean after a powerful earthquake struck off Honduras.

The quake had with a preliminary magnitude of 7.8 north of the central American country.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office published a revised travel advisory for Honduras, the British Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Cuba, Belize, Mexico and the Cayman Islands.

The Honduras alert said: “Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 1,000km of the earthquake epicentre.

“Persons located in threatened coastal areas should stay alert for information and follow instructions from national and local authorities.”

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said a tsunami advisory was in effect for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands after the earthquake and warned of possible waves up to 3ft above tide level.

The US Geological Survey said the quake, was centred 125 miles north-east of Barra Patuca in Honduras and 191 miles south-west of George Town in the Cayman Islands.

The quake was very shallow, at only 6.2 miles, which would have amplified its effect.

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