THE HAGUE – A tsunami generated by an undersea earthquake could cause catastrophic damage to parts of the Caribbean Kingdom, with the potential to claim lives, destroy essential infrastructure and severely disrupt economic activity.
That warning appears in the Netherlands' 2026 National Security Risk Assessment, which identifies tsunamis as one of the natural hazards requiring attention in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
The report, prepared by the National Security Analysts Network (ANV), examines how coastal flooding and other natural disasters could threaten national security.
According to the researchers, the consequences of a tsunami could be particularly severe because of the geographical characteristics of the Caribbean islands.
Many important facilities and economic activities are located near the coast, including airports, hotels, water infrastructure and electricity facilities.
The assessment explains that a tsunami could cause extensive damage to these assets while simultaneously affecting residential communities and transportation networks.
The consequences could include fatalities, injuries, interruptions to essential services and widespread economic disruption.
Unlike some other natural hazards, tsunamis can develop with limited warning time.
The researchers emphasize that their unpredictable nature and the short period available for evacuation could make their consequences especially serious.
In certain circumstances, the impact could exceed that of a hurricane because authorities and residents may have considerably less time to prepare.
The assessment does not suggest that a tsunami is imminent or provide a specific probability of such an event striking Curaçao.
It also does not present a detailed Curaçao-specific tsunami scenario or estimate the number of residents who could be affected.
Instead, the report identifies tsunamis as a potentially severe hazard that should be considered when assessing the vulnerability of the Caribbean part of the Kingdom.
The findings are particularly relevant to islands where coastal areas contain a concentration of essential infrastructure and economic activity.
Damage to a port or airport could complicate the delivery of emergency assistance, while interruptions to electricity and drinking water systems could affect communities beyond the immediate disaster area.
The report also highlights the importance of evacuation opportunities in determining the consequences of flooding.
When water levels rise rapidly, the ability of residents to move to safer locations can be severely restricted.
This makes warning systems, emergency communications and evacuation planning important considerations in disaster preparedness.
For Curaçao, the findings provide a reason to examine how coastal infrastructure and communities could be affected by a sudden marine disaster.
However, the assessment does not evaluate the adequacy of Curaçao's existing warning systems or identify specific improvements that have already been approved.
The researchers place the tsunami threat within a broader discussion of flooding risks, which also include extreme rainfall, coastal inundation and rising sea levels.
Their conclusion is that natural disasters affecting coastal areas can have consequences far beyond immediate physical damage, particularly when critical infrastructure and essential services are disrupted.