A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit near the coast of Venezuela, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says, with witnesses reporting tremors in capital Caracas.
The epicentre was about 28km west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast.
The quake had a depth of 13km, the USGS reported.
Residents rushed to evacuate as the quake shook buildings.
One witness told Reuters that cracks formed up the side of their apartment and glass in the entry had shattered.
Witnesses have told BBC the tremors were felt in neighbouring nation Colombia as well.
The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami threat for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands following the quake, adding that islands off the coast of Venezuela — Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire — could also be hit by hazardous waves.
with AP
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