top stories SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.<doc-sep>Venezuela earthquake: Residents take to the streets top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. The massive tremor - one of the country's strongest ever - hit at 5.31pm (10.31pm BST) at a depth of 123.2km. Officials said there were no immediate reports of injuries and damage in the capital Caracas is limited. Venezuela is not in a good shape to deal with a natural disaster, as the embattled south American country is already wrestling with a crippling economic crisis with medicine running short, hospitals barely able to function and some severe shortages of basics such as chicken and milk. Find all the latest news and live updates here. All times in BST. 6.42pm: Latest FCO travel advice - avoid travel to Venezuela The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has yet to provide an update about travel to Venezuela in light of the seismic activity. However, an update was provided today advising against all travel to certain areas due to drug traffickers and criminal gangs. These include "within 80km (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachira, Barinas, Apure and Bolívar, within 80 km (50 miles) of the Colombian border in Amazonas state as far south as 100 km (62 miles) south of Puerto Ayacucho, within 40km (25 miles) of the rest of the Colombian border". The FCO also "advises against all but essential travel" to the rest of the country "due to ongoing crime and instability". 4.59pm: Trinidad and Tobago skyscraper evacuated in response to 5.9 aftershock, says business A company located inside one of Trinidad and Tobago's tallest buildings has said the 88-metre high skyscraper has been evacuated following today's aftershock. Flow Trinidad tweeted: "Due to the earthquake that happened at 9:27 AM this morning with a magnitude of 5.9, the Nicholas Towers building is being evacuated. "As such, our Retail Store there has been closed and will resume regular business hours tomorrow, August 23rd." Nicholas Towers, which has 21 floors, is the fifth highest building in the sovereign state. The tower is located in Independence Square in the Port of Spain. Venezuela earthquake: People wait on the street in Caracas, Venezuela, after the earthquake 3.45pm: Epicentre of earthquake - data revealed Initial data provided by The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre shows the earthquake struck at a depth of 80km at a latitude of 10.60N and a longitude of 62.87W. It was located 40 km ESE of Carúpano, 100 km NNE of Maturín and 116 km SE of Porlamar - all in Venezuela. 3.36pm: Seismologist says aftershock is 'largest' one yet and has 'similar faulting mechanism' Seismologist Stephen Hicks has said the 5.9 magnitude aftershockmay be the largest one yet. Mr Hicks, from the University of Southampton, wrote on Twitter: "I think this may be the largest aftershock of the M7.3 Venezuela earthquake so far. "Depth of the aftershock (100 km) is similar to the mainshock rupture." Venezuela earthquake: The earthquake hit at a depth of 70km Venezuela earthquake map: Where the 5.7 magnitude earthquake was felt 3.20pm: Venezuelan National Assembly building evacuated Politicians have been evacuated from the Venezuelan National Assembly following the new earthquake this afternoon. VeneuzuelanTV Noticias tweeted: "Administrative building of the National Assembly of #Venezuela evacuated after the tremor of magnitude 5.7 registered this # 22August. Via @EfectoCocuyo #TVVNoticias #TVVenezuela" 3.10pm: Earthquake felt as far away as Caribbean, EMSC map shows Residents living in Barbados and St Lucia felt the 5.9 magnitude earthquake, EMSC has reported. A map showed the quake was recorded in Castries, Kingstown, Saint George’s, Scarborough and Port of Spain. 3pm: Kat Hopps takes over live reporting 2.50pm update: Second earthquake hits Venezuela - 5.9 aftershock hits Strong aftershock 5.9 magnitude hits Venezuela. The tremor hit in Sucre, Venezuela, 100 miles from the Port-of-Spain in Trinidad and Tobago. It hit just before 2.30pm BTC (9.27am local time). - FULL STORY - SECOND EARTHQUAKE HITS VENEZUELA Venezuelan citizens recorded their shock at the strong earthquake on earthquake tracking website EMSC-CSEM. One wrote: “I was in the office and went straight under the table.” Another said: “I was in a boat moored to a dock and felt the waves ripping the engine.” 12.33pm update: Earthquake was too deep to cause major damage - but is the biggest in 20th and 21st century Yesterday’s earthquake was the largest to strike Venezuela since 1900, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). There have been 17 previous magnitude-6 quakes and scores more smaller tremors in the region – but large earthquakes are rare. Venezuela earthquake: 5.9 magnitude aftershock earthquake hits Venezuela earthquake map: The quake struck on August 21 11.46am update: Latest FCO travel advice The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not yet updated its travel advice to Venezuela or Grenada but it has for Trinidad and Tobago. “Initial reports indicate damage to some buildings and communication networks,” states the FCO website. “If you’re in the area you should monitor local media, exercise caution and follow the advice of the local authorities. Aftershocks in the same area are possible." Authorities briefly closed the international airport in Bogota to inspect for runway damage. It is now open again, with only two delayed flights currently showing. 10.00am update: Quake’s depth would have helped to stop more major damage The more shallow an earthquake’s depth, the more damage is likely. Most quakes occur at shallow depths, according to the US Geological Survey, and such earthquakes generally tend to be more damaging than deeper ones. Science journal Phys.org explained seismic waves from deep quakes have to travel further to get to the surface, meaning they losing energy along the way. While for earthquakes that hit closer to the surfacce, shaking is more intense - like setting off "a bomb directly under a city," according to Susan Hough, a USGS seismologist. United States Geological Survey geophysicist Jessica Turner said last night's Venezuela quake's depth would have dampened some of the shaking. "A 7.3 magnitude quake is going to cause some damage, particularly as in this area, structures are vulnerable. The Earth is able to absorb some of the energy, but a 7.3 quake produces a lot of energy," she said. Venezuela earthquake:The 1968 M6.5 earthquake occurred in a very similar location 9.30am update: Earthquake was one of the largest ever recorded in the region Seismologist at the University of Southampton Stephen Hicks posted on Twitter: “M7.3 earthquake today along the northern coast of Venezuela is one of the largest ever recorded earthquakes along the boundary between the Caribbean & South American plates. “There was an M7.7 quake to the west in 1900 but this will have preceded detailed instrumental recordings. “Mostly horizontal differential motion between the Caribbean and South American plates is accommodated along a transform plate boundary ("right-lateral" / "dextral" sense of slip) - named the El Pilar Fault (EPF) in the region of today's earthquake “But 120 km hypocentre depth estimate of today's earthquake seems far too deep to be directly related to transform faulting between the two plates, which should only really cause much shallower quakes (e.g. depth of <10s of km). “The 1968 M6.5 earthquake occurred in a very similar location and also had a large depth (103 km). “Focal mechanism (as shown by the "beachball" in the map) is unusual and doesn't seem to indicate simple strike-slip faulting along a transform fault. “Maybe the southernmost edge of the South American plate that is subducting under the Lesser Antilles arc might have been involved.” Venezuela earthquake: The earthquake is one of the most major strikes in the region Venezuela earthquake: The quake struck just on the edge of the Caribbean plate 9.23am update: Quake so strong it was felt in the Caribbean The Venezuela earthquake was also felt in neighbouring Colombia and nearby island nations like Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia. In Trinidad and Tobago, there were initial reports of some cracks to buildings, cars damaged when concrete debris fell on them, and loss of electricity. Traffic jams formed on highways in Port of Spain, but there were no immediate reports of casualties there either. Colombia's government said the country was unharmed too, although workers dashed out of high-rise blocks in the mountainous capital Bogota. "It was a moment of panic, we thought the worst," said Jimena Valencia, a 29-year-old administrator in the north of Bogota. 9.18am update: What is the advice for surviving aftershocks? Citizens who are fearful of further aftershocks have been advised to stay calm, do not panic and remain alert. The University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre gave the following advice: If inside stay inside, do not run out of the building as you may be injured by falling debris. If inside, DROP, COVER and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. Get under a sturdy desk, table or bed and hold on or stand in a strong doorway. Do not use elevators or stairs Move away from windows, mirrors, glass doors, pictures, bookcases, hanging plants and heavy objects. If outside and there are no obvious signs of danger nearby, stay there. If outside, stay away from glass buildings, electricity poles and bridges. If in a vehicle, do not stop on or under a bridge. Always look out for falling plaster, bricks, lighting fixtures and other objects. Venezuela earthquake: Windows smash as shock felt in Trinidad<doc-sep>
Venezuela earthquake: Windows smash as shock felt in Trinidad The 7.3-magnitude earthquake in Venezuela last night was felt as far north as Dominica, as far West as Colombia and as far south as Guyana. The University of the West Indies (UWI) issued a warning for aftershocks following the 90-second quake, which is the largest to strike Venezuela since 1900. They said: "Yes, we have recorded aftershocks following the event. "Please note that aftershocks can be strong and one must stay calm and Drop, Cover and Hold on (DCH) until the shaking stops." UWI-seismic research centre director Prof Richard Robertson and Seismologist Dr Joan Latchman gave a live broadcast to give people information on what to do in the event of an earthquake. Dr Latchman said: “During the shaking you are to stay where you are. “If you are outside then you stay outside and move away from anything that could fall on you. “If you are driving, like I was, you pull over and stop. The University of the West Indies (UWI) issued a warning for aftershocks Prof Richard Robertson and Dr Joan Latchman gave a live broadcast to give people information Venezuela: Car CRUSHED after 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits “You don’t park on a bridge, under a bridge or under electric wire etc. “If you are inside then you should try to leave while the shaking is going on, but do not use the elevators.” She added that it is usually collapsing buildings and debris falling off of buildings which kill and injure. The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not yet updated its travel advice to Venezuela or Grenada but it has for Trinidad and Tobago. Collapsing buildings and debris falling off of buildings are more likely to kill and injure