Tsunami Warning Issued after 7.3 Magnitude Quake Hit Venezuela (+Video)


Tsunami Warning Issued after 7.3 Magnitude Quake Hit Venezuela (+Video)

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) issued a tsunami warning for the Venezuelan coast, Caribbean Islands after a powerful earthquake hit Northern Venezuelan coast last night.

A massive earthquake hit Venezuela at 5.31pm local time (10.31pm BST) on Tuesday.

The earthquake was centered near the town of Guiria and was even felt 286 miles (622 km) in the capital, Caracas.

The United States Geological Survey record the earthquake in coastal town Irapa, Express reported.

The USGs said the earthquake was 7.3 magnitude and had a depth of 76 miles (123 kilometers).

The quake’s epicenter was 12 miles (20 kilometers) north-west of Yaguaraparo.

No injuries or major damage is said to have occurred in the capital Sucre State, Cumana, which is near the epicenter.

Several people were reportedly injured after an escalator collapsed at a shopping Centre in Cumana.

People are being evacuated in the affected regions due to concerns over vulnerable buildings made from reinforced brick and wood.

Neighboring Trinidad and Tobago was also affected by the earthquake, as phone lines and power lines were cut off.

There were also reports of damage to some buildings.

Is there a tsunami alert for Venezuela?

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) initially issued a tsunami warning for the Venezuelan coast, as well as Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada.

However, the alert was later updated, stating: “There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake."

People are advised to be “observant” and cautious if they are near the ocean.

Venezuela’s Interior Minster, Néstor Luis Reverol, wrote on Twitter: “We call on all of the people of Venezuela to remain calm.

“We want to inform you that at 5.31 we had a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that was felt in various states of the country including Nueva Esparta, Sucre, Monagas, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro, Aragua, Carabobo and the capital.

“So far there have been no reports of any victims."

 

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