Magnitude 6.2 Earthquake Hits Venezuela, Shaking Capital and 11 States

CARACAS, Venezuela — A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck on Wednesday, shaking at least 11 states and the capital city of Venezuela. Hundreds of people in central Caracas evacuated buildings and took to the streets as a precaution.

The Venezuelan government has not yet provided information regarding injuries or damage from the tremor. The earthquake’s epicenter was located about 24 kilometers northeast of Mene Grande, a key oil-producing area on the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo in Zulia state, approximately 600 kilometers east of Caracas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake occurred at 22:21 GMT and had a depth of 10 kilometers.

The tremor was felt strongly in Caracas as well as in the states of Táchira, Trujillo, Mérida, Lara, Falcón, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, Vargas, and the eastern coast of Anzoátegui. Nearby, in Colombia, residents in areas close to the Venezuela border also reported feeling the earthquake and evacuated their homes and offices. Colombian authorities did not report any immediate damage either.

As the situation develops, officials are expected to release more information regarding the earthquake’s impact. Many residents remain on alert and continue to monitor for aftershocks.