Bahamas News
Scary! Residents across Bahamas and Turks and Caicos report feeling Haiti earthquake tonight
#Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Saturday October 6, 2018 – It all started with one concerned resident feeling certain that she had just experienced an earthquake tremor as she watched television tonight at her home in Providenciales; it was at 8:17 pm that her home shook and then she reached out to Magnetic Media for answers.
The question sent us on a hunt for an answer and that answer was found imm
ediately at the US Geological Survey’s website where earthquakes are recorded and reported instantly. There it was, information on an earthquake at 8:11 pm in Ti Port de Paix, Haiti with shock waves emanating from the town in the north of Haiti that reached both archipelagos.
Diagrams supplied by the USGS were startling, to say the least.
Once we issued the news story over to WhatsApp groups within the Turks and Caicos and Bahamas, including some in Jamaica and Barbados, more reports of ‘feeling’ the earthquake came pouring in – from both countries and yes, from Haiti.
In Providenciales: Cooper Jack, Juba Sound, Glass Shack, Millennium Heights, down town Provo and Blue Hills had residents who say they felt the earthquake. In Blue Hills, residents actually ran outside at the shock of experiencing the tremors. There were fluctuations in internet service in Grace Bay and Wheeland; both Providenciales communities.
One other island of the Turks and Caicos had a report that their ‘dinner table shook’; it came from Middle Caicos.
Harbour Island, Bahamas had one person reporting that their phone was shaking and from Inagua, which is more southeast and nearer to Haiti, there were many more instances of the earthquake spreading on social media. Here are comments from voice notes received on WhatsApp from one of our contacts in The Bahamas:
“Inagua people did y’all feel the earth shake just now. You all need to turn our radios and televisions on to see what’s going on, cause I sure we just had a tremor just now.”
“Sure as that, I was sitting to the desk and I thought my china closet was gonna tumble over for a moment.”
“Just received some information, sound like that was from Haiti. So we feel that serious over here so it probably was a big one over there.”
“…we did, we all did.”
Soon after, there was official information from the Bahamas Department of Meteorology, as Turks and Caicos Home Affairs Minister, Delroy Williams confirmed the 5.9 magnitude earthquake as a frightening reality for both chain of islands.
“THE BAHAMAS DEPARTMENT OF METEOROLOGY HAS ISSUED AN ALERT OF AN EARTHQUAKE 8:45 EDT SATURDAY, 06TH OCTOBER, 2018.
AN EARTHQUAKE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THE SOUTHEAST BAHAMAS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AND THEIR ADJACENT WATERS. AT 8:35 PM AN EARTHQUAKE MEASURING 5.9 ON THE RICTOR SCALE OCCURRED IN THE MONA PASSAGE BETWEEN HAITI AND CUBA. NO TSUNAMI WARNINGS HAVE BEEN GIVEN AT THIS TIME. THIS SYSTEM IS BEING CLOSELY MONITORED FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT AT THIS TIME.”
Trevor Basden, Director at the Department of Meteorology in The Bahamas moments later added: “Captain Russell (NEMA) has advised that this earthquake was felt in Matthew Town, Inagua.” He added, “DDME TCI has advised me that earthquake also felt in Providenciales, TCI.”
Cuba, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic were also expected to feel the quake; but we have no reports from those countries at this time.
It is early yet, still sources in Turks and Caicos say there is disturbing news from Haiti that there was damage to homes in Ti Port de Paix, which was the part of Haiti struck directly by the 5.9 magnitude earthquake.
The Bahamas, August 27, 2026 – The Royal Bahamas Police Force wishes to inform members of the public that several individuals are scheduled to appear before the Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 27th August 2026, at 12:00 noon.
The individuals and charges are as follows:
An 18-year-old female is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
Three (3) counts of Murder
Three (3) counts of Attempted Murder
Three (3) counts of Possession of a Firearm with Intent to Endanger Life
Three (3) counts of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm
Two (2) counts of Possession of Ammunition
Armed Robbery
Abetment to Armed Robbery
Stealing
Receiving
The charges stem from three separate shooting incidents and an armed robbery that occurred on Friday, 21st August 2026, and Saturday, 22nd August 2026.
The first shooting occurred in the area of Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road, resulting in the death of a 51-year-old male.
The second shooting occurred in the area of Joe Farrington Road, resulting in the death of a 52-year-old male.
The third shooting occurred in the area of Gladstone Road, resulting in the death of a 36-year-old male.
The armed robbery occurred at a business establishment in the area of Carmichael Road and Baillou Hill Road.
A 21-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on one charge of:
- Murder
The charge stems from a shooting incident that occurred on Tuesday, 21st July 2026, in the area of Samson Street, Nassau Village, which resulted in the death of a 28-year-old male.
A 32-year-old male is scheduled to be arraigned on the following charges:
- Murder
- Attempted Murder
These charges stem from a shooting incident that occurred on Wednesday, 24th December 2025, in the area of Graham Drive, Yellow Elder, which resulted in the death of a 25-year-old male.
RBPF, PACD
Bahamas News
Bahama Brass Band Invitation Sparks Heritage Debate Ahead of TCI Constitutional Holiday
Turks and Caicos, August 20, 2026 – The planned participation of the Bahama Brass Band in the Turks and Caicos Islands’ inaugural Constitutional Holiday celebrations on August 30 has sparked public debate over culture, heritage and the historical contributions of Turks and Caicos Islanders abroad.
Organizers defended the invitation, saying the band’s inclusion is intended to highlight the deep historical ties between the two countries
and honor Turks and Caicos men who helped establish and develop the institution in Grand Bahama.
According to the organizers, the Bahama Brass Band began in 1955 in Pine Ridge, Freeport, with Turks and Caicos Islanders, including the late Deacon Reuben Hall Sr. of Middle Caicos and Jenkins Williams and Mervin Hendfield of North Caicos, among those who helped build its foundation. The band eventually grew to more than 50 men.
The organizers also pointed to the participation of Turks and Caicos men in The Bahamas’ Independence celebrations on July 10, 1973, arguing that their contributions became part of Bahamian history while maintaining strong connections to their homeland.
Supporters say bringing the band home represents an opportunity to honor those pioneers, showcase their regional influence and expose younger generations to an important part of Turks and Caicos history.
However, concerns raised publicly described the invitation as potentially disrespectful to local culture and heritage. Organizers acknowledged those concerns, apologizing to anyone who felt overlooked or offended, while maintaining that no disrespect was intended.
The committee said the event should ultimately unite rather than divide, presenting the band’s history as evidence of the reach and resilience of Turks and Caicos heritage.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bahamas Brass Band
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Dasani products, proudly sponsored the fifth annual, Caribbean Hoopfest.
The tournament brings together Bahamian high school basketball teams and visiting teams from the United States for a competitive
showcase at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs Gymnasium. Following its inaugural year at the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym and last year’s event at Loyola Hall, the tournament returned to the Kendal G. L. Isaacs gym this year.
During the weekend tournament, CBC kept athletes well hydrated with in-kind donations of Dasani Water, Powerade and Minute Maid Juices.
During the tournament’s final day, CBC provided additional support by offering Sprite No Sugar samples and inviting attendees to participate in its Spin the Wheel for a chance to win exciting prizes.
CBC was proud to support this incredible event, which provides young Bahamian athletes with valuable exposure to U.S. basketball scouts and coaches. This opportunity gives them the chance to earn scholarships, continue their education, and pursue their basketball careers in the United States.
Event organizer, Donald Francois shared his appreciation for CBC’s support.
“I want to express our sincere appreciation for Caribbean Bottling Company, who has been a tremendous supporter and an important part of the success of our program. Without CBC’s support, Caribbean Hoop Fest would not be able to function at the level it does today. And without Caribbean Hoop Fest, we would not have been able to provide the opportunities that have helped young Bahamian athletes gain exposure and pursue educational opportunities in the United States,” he expressed.
Since the program’s inception, several Bahamian student-athletes have been selected for scholarship opportunities, highlighting the
tournament’s growing impact on the development and advancement of young basketball talent in The Bahamas.
They are: Kelvin McDowells – Guard, Wodson Antoine – Power Forward, Justin Lafleur – Guard and Sean John – Guard.
After another successful edition of the tournament, Francois shared what he hopes he and Caribbean Bottling Company can achieve in the future.
“Our vision is bigger than basketball. We want to use the platform of Caribbean Hoop Fest to educate, develop, and create opportunities for young people and their families throughout the Bahamas. With individuals and organizations committed to our mission, we believe we can continue to grow the program and make an even greater impact,” Francois said.
For more details on community support, events and new products visit Caribbean Bottling Company at www.cbcbahamas.com today.
