The International Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also adds Belize, Honduras and Mexico to its list of countries that may be affected by tsunami waves up to a meter high.

"Dangerous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 kilometers of the epicenter," the center writes in a statement.

The quake occurred at a depth of ten kilometers below the seabed.

The Jamaica Observer newspaper reports that the quake lasted for several seconds and was felt throughout the island