Multiple powerful earthquakes rock Venezuela (VIDEOS)

At to the lowest degree tenner powerful earthquakes struck nor'-west republic of venezuela on wed and early Thursday, sending tremors across the South American country as far as the capital Caracas.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (Funvisis) said several tremors exceeded magnitude 5.8, including two that came in over 6.

The epicenter was near Mene Grande in the oil-rich state of Zulia, about 600km (370 miles) west of Caracas. The strongest, at magnitude 6.3, struck at 5:21 pm local time.

At least 21 aftershocks have been recorded in the past seven hours. Local seismologists are monitoring ongoing activity in the region.

No casualties have been reported, but videos and photos shared online showed cracked walls in high-rises and damaged roads.

Un fuerte sismo de magnitud 6.2 sacudió #Venezuela, con epicentro en Mene Grande.Circulan videos en redes sociales del momento del movimiento telúrico en el país sudamericano. #Temblor#Terremotopic.twitter.com/KyqICpS38D

The tremors were felt most strongly in the country’s western states, in particular the city of Maracaibo, where residents evacuated buildings as cracks appeared.

🇻🇪 | Momento del sismo de magnitud 6.1 registrado en Venezuela con epicentro en el estado Zulia. pic.twitter.com/o3h3Qm6VdK

Zulia Governor Luis Caldera said there was damage to some hospitals and to the iconic Santa Barbara Church, with footage posted online showing that a cross had fallen from one of its domes.

Un vídeo de una cámara de seguridad en Maracaibo, captó el momento del fuerte sismo de 6.4 que sacudió anoche en Venezuela. Una vivienda colapsó, pero afortunadamente no había nadie en su interior. #Temblorpic.twitter.com/11y7Pr9mrg

Valera also reported that structural cracks had been reported and that tremors had been felt in the Andean cities of San Cristobal and Merida.

#24Sep#Zulia#Sismo#Temblor Bomberos evalúan daños en la iglesia Santa Barbara de Maracaibo tras fuerte sismo - @CaraotaDigitalpic.twitter.com/5bkCs4wuHa

The earthquake was also felt in Caracas, where buildings shook and many residents left their apartments, local media reported.

⚠️🚨 ÚLTIMA HORA:⁰Se han sentido temblores en diversos estados de Venezuela.⁰El más fuerte, de 7.2, ocurrió esta madrugada.📍 Zulia: así se vivió el sismo.⁰📍 Trujillo: miren este edificio… estremecedor.🇻🇪 Mientras el país tiembla, Maduro sigue gobernando por decreto.… pic.twitter.com/FfJGiftjQW

Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Civil Protection and military forces had deployed nationwide to assist with evacuations and damage.

”No human losses have been recorded, and President Nicolas Maduro has deployed a risk system throughout the country from the Command Post,” she said late on Wednesday.  

🚨 ¡Alerta Sísmica! Terremoto en Venezuela 🇻🇪#TerremotoEnVenezuela#Temblor#Sismo#Noticias#Alerta#Venezuelapic.twitter.com/CwmfKmfeFr

The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said there was no tsunami threat. 

ÚLTIMA HORA | Funvisis registró este sismo de magnitud 6, como publicó en X, con epicentro a 45 kilómetros al este de Bachaquero, en el Zulia.Las imágenes corresponden a Hospital Dr Luis Razetti en Barinas. https://t.co/NjjytQ39X9pic.twitter.com/hC0jbcVB8k

Venezuela sits on several fault lines between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. About 80% of its population lives in seismic zones. The country has been hit by five major earthquakes in the past century, including a magnitude 7.2 off the northern coast in 2018. The last deadly quake in Venezuela occurred in the town of Cariaco in 1997, killing 73 people.

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