Moderate 5.6 Earthquake Strikes Venezuela

August 12, 2008 8:49 a.m. EST

Caracas, Venezuela (AHN) - A moderate quake measuring 5.6 on the Richter scale violently shook Venezuela early Monday morning, according to government seismologists. Authorities said no casualties were reported.

However, Interior Minister Ramon Rodriguez said 50 buildings sustained slight damage when the ground shook at around 2:49 a.m., local time.

A hospital was evacuated after the tremor.

According to the Venezuelan Foundation of Seismological Investigation, the tremor's epicenter was located in the Caribbean sea, 87 miles east of Caracas.

Some areas in the capital city Cumana, in the coastal state of Sucre, were without power after the earthquake.