Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes Venezuela, Tsunami Warning Issued

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon local time, triggering a tsunami warning and public safety advisories. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was located west of the coastal area of Moron, Venezuela, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres. The tremor was felt strongly in the capital Caracas, where residents rushed out of high-rise buildings to seek safety. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a tsunami alert for the Venezuelan coast as well as the Dutch islands of Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao. A tsunami warning was also activated for the US territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, with local authorities actively monitoring coastal wave indicators for unusual movements. There have been no immediate reports of casualties from the earthquake.