The 2003 Dominican Republic earthquake occurred on September 22 at 00:45:37 local time with a moment magnitude of 6.4 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme).

The shock occurred on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic near the town of Luperon, Puerto Plata and 40 miles (64 km) north of the city of Santiago de los Caballeros.

In Santiago, several schools were damaged and the airport there was temporarily closed, but was made operational again afterwards.

In Nagua, schools were damaged in the form of cracks and walls and floors, and a roof of a local hospital collapsed.

In the towns of San Cristobal and Cotui, light damage to schools was reported.