7.3 magnitude earthquake hit in Venezuela

An earthquake shook the north-eastern coast of Venezuela on Tuesday. It was felt across the Caribbean and sent people rushing out into the streets hundreds of kilometres away in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.

According to the United States Geological Survey, a 7.3 magnitude earthquake had struck off the South American country’s northern coast at around 5.31pm local time on Tuesday, east of the city of Carupano at a depth of 123 km. The Colombian Geological Service said it was 7.0 magnitude quake.

According to a witness in Sumana, the biggest city near the epicentre, said that there were initial reports of several injuries at a shopping centre where an escalator fell, but there were no other immediate signs of damage in the vicinity.

A Venezuelan journalist, Maria Ramirez, who was in Ciudad Bolivar at the time of the quake, alongside images of people running out of a supermarket, tweeted that she had never felt such a strong earthquake.

Nestor Reverol, Interior Minister of Venezuela said, “The disaster relief teams had been activated but so far there were no reports of fatalities.”

“We ask for the greatest patience and tranquility from Venezuelan people. These situations require prudence.”