Earthquakes strike Venezuela, trigger brief tsunami advisory; separate quake hits Japan

Two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon (June 24), causing significant structural damage and briefly prompting tsunami advisories for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, was centred about 24 kilometres east-northeast of San Felipe, Venezuela.

A second, stronger magnitude 7.5 quake struck shortly afterwards, with its epicentre located approximately 16 kilometres southwest of Morón.

The earthquakes triggered a tsunami advisory for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. However, authorities later cancelled the advisory after assessments found no ongoing threat.

In Venezuela, reports indicate the earthquakes caused significant damage to buildings, particularly in Caracas.

Reuters reported that several structures collapsed in the capital. The back-to-back earthquakes reportedly killed at least 164 people in Venezuela, acting President Delcy Rodríguez said,

Earthquake strikes Japan

Separately, around 30 minutes after the second earthquake in Venezuela, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan.

The USGS said the quake occurred about 35 kilometres east-northeast of Kuji at a depth of 51.7 kilometres.

Strong shaking was reported in nearby communities, but officials confirmed there is no tsunami threat associated with the Japan earthquake.

Authorities in both countries are continuing to assess the impact of the earthquakes, with damage assessments underway in Venezuela.

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