PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — More than 30 tremors have been recorded in Trinidad and Tobago since Tuesday's 7.3 magnitude earthquake that rocked the oil rich twin island republic causing widespread damage, the Seismic Research Centre (SRC) of the St Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI) has reported. It said the latest quake, with a magnitude of 4.0, occurred Thursday around 6:44 am (local time) and was located at 10.68°N and 62.98°W at a depth of 70km. The SRC said 37 aftershocks have been recorded since Tuesday and dismissed reports circulating that persons were predicting future earthquakes to hit the country. “Earthquakes cannot be predicted,” it said, noting that after the mega quake earlier this week “aftershocks have occurred and will continue to occur in the coming days and weeks”. The Association of Trinidad and Tobago Insurance Companies (ATTIC), said Thursday that while, like the rest of the country, it is relieved that there have been no reports of serious injury and loss of life, there have been reports of “some damage to property”. “Whilst we are thankful that the country has been spared any major devastation associated with an earthquake of this magnitude, we take this opportunity to remind the public of the importance of having proper coverage against these and other risks and wish to advise policyholders on the steps in submitting a claim in the event that damages were incurred,” the umbrella insurance. It said policy holders, who have sustained damages, should contact your respective insurance company, agent or broker and immediately notify them of any claims. “At minimum, provide photographs or any other information to support your claim. This will also be subject to any other information which may be required by your insurer. If your property has been damaged, submit estimates for repairs along with a claim form, if possible. Expect to hear from your insurer/agent/broker who will appoint an insurance adjuster who will visit the location where the loss occurred to verify the claim and survey your property.” ATTIC said that losses arising within a 72-hour period from the initial event will be treated as one, including the aftershocks. Meanwhile, the National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) said it is currently coordinating assessments of primarily all critical infrastructure, government buildings, and roadways, subsequent to the earthquake. The NEOC said it was also warning against the “creation and circulation of fake content…which can cause unnecessary panic or concern to citizens and visitors. “As citizens, we must continue to display patriotism by looking out for one another,” it said, adding that priority is being given to the completion of the Initial Damage Assessment (IDA) and Damage and Needs Analysis (DANA) across all sectors, with the focus being directed to governmental/ government-used critical facilities, and other building stock. “The Ministry of Works and Transport (MOWT) has actively initiated inspection of critical facilities. Additionally, the MOWT is coordinating and implementing a national response team consisting of qualified and experienced personnel in building infrastructure. “This team was dispatched across all municipalities on a priority basis to determine the structural safety of government buildings for occupancy,” it said. The Ministry of Health said that while all health facilities across the country are operational, all “elective and non-emergency” treatment have been put off “as is humanly possible” for the time being. Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh said that has been done to “cater for surge demands”. Meanwhile, the two Cathedrals in the capital, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Holy Trinity Cathedral, which suffered earthquake damage have been closed for repairs.<doc-sep>UPDATE: 6:55 p.m. EDT—Nestor Luis Reverol, Venezuela's interior minister, wrote on Twitter that first responders were ready to "address any emergency" following Tuesday's earthquake. It was not immediately clear whether there were any significant damage or fatalities. UPDATE: 6:36 p.m. EDT—The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center revised its forecast following an earthquake north of Venezuela on Tuesday, saying there was no tsunami threat from the quake. "Minor sea level fluctuations up to 30 cm above and below the normal tide may occur in coastal areas near the earthquake over the next few hours and continuing for up to several hours," the PTWC said. The center previously said some waves were possible. UPDATE: 6:18 p.m. EDT—The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said based on preliminary information about the earthquake, "hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 km of the earthquake epicenter." The PTWC said waves were possible along the coasts of Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela. The center urged people located in threatened coastal areas to watch for information from national and local authorities. UPDATE: 5:56 p.m. EDT—The USGS revised the strength of Tuesday's earthquake from a 7.0 magnitude to a 7.3 magnitude. Buildings were evacuated in Caracas, the Associated Press reported. Original story: A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit near Venezuela early Tuesday evening, the United States Geological Survey confirmed. The quake hit about 30 miles from Guiria, Sucre, Venezuela, at 5:31 EDT. People reported feeling shaking in Grenada as well as Trinidad and Tobago and other places. It was unclear whether there was any significant damage or injuries as a result of Tuesday's quake. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.<doc-sep>
A strong earthquake preliminarily measured at magnitude 7.3 rocked Venezuela early Tuesday evening, rocking much of northern South America and sending people fleeing from their homes. There were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was registered at 5:31 p.m. ET about 12½ miles north-northwest of Yaguaraparo on the northeast tip of Venezuela. USGS Telesur, the Caracas-based national TV channel, reported that shaking was felt across the country. Buildings rocked and items fell off shelves across the Caribbean island of Trinidad, The Trinidad Express newspaper reported, adding: "The country has been stunned." Video posted by Trinidad & Tobago state media CTV showed the interior of an evacuated restaurant with a large crack running the length of the floor in Chaguaramas, west of the capital, Port of Spain. Chaguaramas restaurant damaged by this afternoon's earthquake. UWI Seismic Research Centre puts the event at Magnitude 6.8 pic.twitter.com/AJQOO66dr5 — C News (@cnewslive) August 21, 2018 The Associated Press reported that shaking was felt as far away as Bogota, Colombia. The U.S. Geological Survey, or USGS, said the quake was registered at 5:31 p.m. ET about 12½ miles north-northwest of Yaguaraparo on the northeast tip of Venezuela. The agency said it was the largest earthquake recorded within 150 miles of Tuesday's quake in the 20th and 21st centuries. 5:55PM 21-08-2018: Damage reported across Trinidad, video taken at Digicel IMAX, Port of Spain. pic.twitter.com/73arfJd3oY — TTWeatherCenter (@TTWeatherCenter) August 21, 2018 A magnitude-7.3 earthquake is capable of causing widespread heavy damage. But the USGS said the quake was about 53 miles deep, which likely eased its surface shaking. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center put the quake at magnitude 7.4 but said there was no threat of a tsunami to Puerto Rico, the closest U.S. territory in the region.