Major Earthquake Strikes Venezuela
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with its epicenter located near the capital city of Caracas. The tremor was felt widely, including in neighboring Colombia, where residents in Bogotá reported feeling the shakes.
Details of the Event
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at approximately 18:04 local time (23:04 BST) in the Montalbán area, at a relatively shallow depth of 13.2 kilometers. The shallow depth likely contributed to the intensity of the shaking experienced on the surface.
Impact and Immediate Aftermath
Venezuela's Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, confirmed on state television that some buildings in Caracas had sustained damage, with reports of structures collapsing. Eyewitness accounts from Caracas described people evacuating buildings, with some noting cracks appearing in apartment walls and shattered glass. A photograph from an Agence France-Presse journalist depicted a building, believed to be a bank, in ruins within the capital.
Regional Tsunami Warnings Issued
Following the earthquake, the US Tsunami Warning System issued tsunami threats for Venezuela, Aruba, and Bonaire. Advisory threats were also extended to Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands, urging caution in coastal areas.
Colombia Also Affected
The seismic event was not confined to Venezuela, as residents in Colombia's capital, Bogotá, also reported feeling the earthquake. As a precautionary measure, some individuals in Bogotá were evacuated from buildings.
Source: Original Article