Magnitude 4.8 quake detected west of Caracas
The EMSC said the tremor struck near Venezuela’s northern Aragua state after two larger quakes left heavy casualties.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
A magnitude 4.8 earthquake was recorded near Venezuela’s northern coast on Saturday, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre. The tremor adds to seismic activity reported after two stronger earthquakes struck the country earlier in the week.
The EMSC said the latest quake was detected at 3:20 p.m. local time, or 19:20 GMT, near northern Aragua state. Al Jazeera reported that the earthquake was located about 70 kilometers, or 43.4 miles, west of Caracas, Venezuela’s capital.
Al Jazeera reported that several aftershocks and smaller earthquakes had been recorded after Venezuela was hit on Wednesday by two major quakes measured at magnitude 7.2 and 7.5. The latest reported tremor came as rescue work from those earlier quakes continued.
According to Al Jazeera, rescuers were still trying to reach possible survivors from Wednesday’s earthquakes. At least 1,430 people had been confirmed dead, the outlet reported.
Al Jazeera also reported that another 51,000 people had been listed as missing. No additional details were immediately provided on damage from the magnitude 4.8 quake.
The EMSC is a regional earthquake monitoring body that reports seismic events using data from monitoring networks. Its reading placed the new quake near Aragua, a northern Venezuelan state west of Caracas.
Authorities had not immediately released further information on casualties or damage linked specifically to the latest tremor, according to the available reports. Al Jazeera said more information was expected.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.