SAN JUAN (Puerto Rico): A magnitude-6.5 earthquake struck northeast of Barbados early on Tuesday, jolting thousands from their sleep but causing no reported damage or casualties. It also was felt in the nearby French Caribbean island of Martinique.

Barbados Police Constable Chris Greg said that the earthquake was felt throughout the island. ''It was strong,” he said.

The US Geological Survey said the temblor struck at a depth of 17 kilometres at 5:27am and was centred some 106 miles northeast of Bathsheba, Barbados.

Dennis Connell, a 55-year-old security supervisor at a local country club, said in a phone interview that he was just starting to wake up when the earthquake struck.

''I felt like the place was spinning,” he said, adding that he didn't realize it was a temblor. “I thought I was going sick.'' Connell lives at Barbados' most northern point, and said there was no damage to his home or his neighbours' houses.—AP