Earthquake near Venezuela's capital triggers tsunami warning

A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck northern Venezuela early Thursday, shaking the region and prompting a tsunami warning for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake, which hit shortly after midnight local time.

The epicenter was located near the city of Montalban, less than 20 kilometers west of Valencia. Tremors from the earthquake were felt as far away as the capital, Caracas, approximately 100 kilometers east of the epicenter. News agencies Reuters and AFP described scenes of shaking that caused concern among residents.

In response to the seismic activity, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a tsunami warning. This alert signifies a potential risk of dangerous sea level changes in coastal areas of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, prompting authorities to monitor the situation closely.