Caracas, Tokyo, June 25 (SANA) Powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela and Japan within hours of each other, prompting emergency responses in both countries, with no immediate reports of major casualties.
In Venezuela, two strong earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country’s northern coast late Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS said the first quake struck at 10:04 p.m. GMT about 21 kilometers west of the coastal town of Morón. A second, stronger earthquake followed about one minute later, with its epicenter roughly 45 kilometers away.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said some buildings had collapsed and the roofs of others had partially caved in. Authorities shut off gas supplies to several buildings as a precaution and urged residents to evacuate their homes to reduce the risk of gas-related incidents.
There were no immediate confirmed reports of fatalities or injuries. In the capital, Caracas, residents evacuated buildings after the tremors before some later returned.
Separately, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the coast of northern Japan on Thursday morning, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.
The agency said the earthquake occurred off Iwate Prefecture on the northeastern coast of Honshu at a depth of 50 kilometers.
Japanese authorities reported no immediate signs of major damage or casualties. Government spokesperson Minoru Kihara said officials were continuing to monitor the situation and assess any potential impact.
Venezuela experiences periodic seismic activity due to the interaction of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, while Japan is one of the world’s most earthquake-prone countries because of its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.
IZ/A
