Tremors felt in Region Six – as 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits offshore Venezuela

DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, August 21, 2018

At approximately 17:30hrs the impact of 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Venezuela and a 6.8 magnitude in Trinidad left residents in the East Berbice-Corentyne communities experiencing heavy tremors.

In Rose Hall Town, residents recalled seeing equipment in their homes shaking violently and felt the house vibrating, they immediately evacuated their homes.
“I feel the shaking but I didn’t take it for anything but when I see all the things shaking and the children screaming downstairs I rush to get them and ran out of the house. I’m happy it wasn’t anything more serious because I never experienced anything like this before,” one resident related.

Desmond Williams said he initially thought it was a heavy duty truck passing through the area so he ran out and then saw “more people coming out in the backstreet.”
Hire car driver, Vishal Singh, who was in his vehicle at the time, said “I feel the car starting to shake so I turned around and look to see who shaking up the vehicle… then I see the wires and electric posts shaking too! So, I said was an earthquake, even the passengers jumped out of the car.”

In Kildonan, one shop owner, he felt dizzy and noticed items falling from shelves. He related that on venturing outside he noticed persons rushing into the streets while some opted for open space after they realized what was happening.

The tremors lasted for approximately one minute with a few seconds interval before a second was felt that lasted for about 30 seconds.

Many inland communities including Black Bush Polder and communities along the East Bank of Berbice also felt the effects. The Community of Orealla situated on the Corentyne River also felt the impact which lasted for close to two minutes.
There were no reports of damage or injury.

Nafeeza Yahya Sakur