Gabriel Kpaka, Deputy Director-General, SLMet
By Mariama Bundu
The Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency (SLMet) has confirmed that tremors felt in several parts of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 13th October 2026, were linked to an earthquake recorded in the Atlantic Ocean.
In a public update issued on Wednesday, 14th October, SLMet said it was reviewing information about an earthquake that occurred at approximately 12:23 p.m. Sierra Leone time. The earthquake was initially reported at a magnitude of 6.9, with its centre located beneath the ocean, more than 1,000 kilometres from Sierra Leone.
The tremors were reportedly felt in different parts of Freetown, including the Youyi Building, which houses several government ministries and offices. The incident caused concern among workers and other people who experienced the shaking.
SLMet explained that an earthquake occurring beneath the ocean does not automatically result in a tsunami. According to the agency, the possibility of a tsunami depends largely on how the earthquake moves the seabed, rather than simply the magnitude of the earthquake.
The agency said it was consulting information from international monitoring centres to assess any possible implications for Sierra Leone and promised to issue further verified updates.
SLMet has urged members of the public to remain calm and follow official information from the agency and other government authorities. It advised people to take cover under sturdy furniture if shaking occurs again, stay away from windows and avoid rushing outside during the shaking.
The agency also warned coastal communities to move inland or to higher ground if they observe an unusual withdrawal or rise in sea level or hear a loud roar from the ocean.
However, SLMet clarified that its update did not direct coastal communities to evacuate, saying any further safety instructions would be communicated through official channels.
