By Delvardo Emmanuel
Journal Staff Writer

The Government of The Bahamas has contacted the Bahamian students who are
studying in Jamaica after a 5.4 magnitude earthquake hit the island on Monday.
The earthquake had prompted people to evacuate buildings amid heavy shakings.
Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell provided an update on Wednesday, just
before the weekly parliament meeting, stating that he and the prime minister had
reached out to those students.
“The prime minister himself sent them a message, a voice note,” Mr. Mitchell said.
“I spoke to the president of the Student Union. People are shaken up, and some
have asked about being airlifted to Nassau. But, both the honorary council and
myself indicated to them that as long as Jamaica is functioning and the school is
functioning, it would be to their disadvantage to be away from classes.
“So, the better view is for them to remain in place, follow the instructions of the
authorities, keep as safe as they can, if something catastrophic happens.”
Asked if they intend to send help to those students Mr. Mitchel replied, “We’ll
intervene. But at the moment, it doesn’t appear to call for that. So, he’s agreed that
he would, the student president has agreed he would stay in touch with us and our
Honouree Counsel Alvita Knight is on top of the situation.”
The earthquake was located about two miles west-northwest of Hope Bay,
according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It occurred at a shallow depth of six
miles, and there were no immediate reports of injuries or serious damage.