A tsunami alert has been issued for Venezuela after a massive 7.5 magnitude struck near the coast.
The earthquake struck late on Wednesday, June 24 and footage posted to social media showed vehicles shaking, smoke filling the streets and damage inside some buildings.
Witnesses have reported feeling tremors in capital Caracas.
The earthquake was initially recorded as a 7.1 magnitude seism, but was reviewed and updated to 7.5 magnitude.
Residents rushed to evacuate as the quake shook buildings. One witness told Reuters news agency that cracks formed up the side of their building.
NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said preliminary information showed the earthquake struck shortly after 10pm at at depth of 10 kilometres.
“Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters… Hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 km of the earthquake epicenter,” the NWS Pacific Tsunami Warning Center alert read.
The alert continued added that hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible along the coasts of Bonaire, Venezuela, Curacao and Aruba.
The is a live event and updates will be provided.
New UpdatesView PostView PostView PostToday00:10 BST
After review, the earthquake has been updated to a 7.5 magnitude, according to USGS.
Tannur Anders24th Jun23:54 BST
NWS National Tsunami Warning Center: “There is no tsunami danger for the U.S. east coast, the Gulf of America states, or the eastern coast of Canada.”
Tannur Anders24th Jun23:52 BST
A magnitude 6.9 earthquake has been detected, with the epicenter identified 42 kilometers east northeast of Noda, Japan.
Tannur Anders
24th Jun23:50 BST
Earliest information on the earthquake:
- A huge 7.1 magnitude struck near the coast of Venezuela late on Wednesday, June 24
- The earthquake struck shortly after 10pm at at depth of 10 kilometres
- Hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 km of the earthquake epicenter
- Costal regions of Bonaire, Venezuela, Curacao and Aruba have been warned of possibletsunami waves