Earth Tremor Reported in Several Parts of Freetown After 6.9-Magnitude Offshore Earthquake
Tolulope Aina Residents in parts of central Freetown, including areas around Youyi Building, Waterloo Street and Wellington Street, have reported feeling a light earth tremor following an earthquake along the Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
According to the Swiss Seismological Service’s global earthquake listing, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake was recorded at approximately 12:23 p.m. Sierra Leone time, at a depth of 10 kilometres. The US Tsunami Warning System independently recorded the event at magnitude 6.8.
The earthquake occurred along the Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge, an underwater geological feature where tectonic plates move apart.
Reports from Freetown indicate that the tremor was noticeable to some residents and people working in the affected areas, prompting calls for the public to remain calm and alert.
The US Tsunami Warning System stated that no tsunami warning, advisory, watch or threat was in effect in the areas covered by its information bulletin.
However, the bulletin does not establish the tsunami status specifically for Sierra Leone, and local authorities have yet to be independently confirmed as having issued an assessment of the reported tremor.
The United States Geological Survey also recorded a separate magnitude 6.7 earthquake along the Central Mid-Atlantic Ridge earlier on Tuesday, at 5:44 a.m. Sierra Leone time, and at a depth of 10 kilometres.
There was no independently verified information available at the time of publication confirming injuries or structural damage in Sierra Leone.
Residents are advised to remain calm, exercise caution and follow updates from relevant authorities as further information becomes available.