CARACAS: A powerful 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Venezuela on Wednesday evening, shaking buildings across several states and neighbouring Colombia, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
Epicentre near Mene Grande
The quake’s epicentre was about 24 km east-northeast of Mene Grande in Zulia state, roughly 600 km west of Caracas, at a shallow depth of 7.8 km, USGS said. The region, though sparsely populated, is a key hub of Venezuela’s oil industry.
Felt across borders
Tremors were reported in Caracas, Maracaibo, and as far as Colombia, where the national geological agency measured the quake at magnitude 6.1. AFP said it was also felt in Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire. People rushed into the streets as buildings swayed, but no major damage or casualties were reported immediately.
Government response
Interior minister Diosdado Cabello said on state television the quake caused “no significant structural damage.” Communications minister Freddy Ñáñez cited two additional tremors — magnitudes 3.9 and 5.4 — in Zulia and Barinas states.
Seismic history
While strong earthquakes are relatively rare in Venezuela, around 80% of the population lives in seismic zones. The last major deadly quake was in 1997, when 73 people died in Cariaco, Sucre state. A 1976 Caracas quake killed nearly 300 and injured 2,000.
The tremor struck near Lake Maracaibo, home to much of Venezuela’s oil industry. State-run television continued programming during the quake, including a science segment featuring President Nicolás Maduro, AP reported.
