7.1 magnitude quake strikes Venezuela coast, sparking tsunami alerts
The US Geological Survey said a powerful 7.1 magnitude tremor struck near the coastal community of Moron on Wednesday afternoon, prompting authorities to issue localized tsunami warnings for Venezuela and nearby Caribbean islands while shaken residents evacuated swaying high-rise buildings in the capital.
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck off Venezuela's Caribbean coast on Wednesday afternoon, causing high-rise buildings in Caracas to sway and prompting localized tsunami warnings for the region, according to the US Geological Survey.
Epicenter located west of Moron
The US Geological Survey said the seismic event occurred at a depth of roughly 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), with its epicenter located just west of the coastal community of Moron. Violent tremors heavily shook the capital Caracas, forcing residents to evacuate swaying high-rise buildings.
Tsunami warnings issued
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat warning for the immediate coast of Venezuela and the neighboring islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. A separate advisory was activated for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands while authorities actively monitor coastal tide gauges for unusual wave activity.
Civil defense mobilizes
Civil defense authorities are deploying to the hardest-hit areas near the epicenter to evaluate infrastructure damage. No immediate injuries have been officially reported, according to local officials.
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