CARACA, Venezuela (AFP) — A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Venezuela on Wednesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported, triggering panic in Caracas, according to AFP journalists.

The quake, with an epicentre 21 kilometres (13 miles) east of the coastal town of Moron, occurred at 2204 GMT and was followed by several aftershocks.

The tremor had a depth of 10 kilometres and prompted screams of panic at a shopping centre in Caracas, an AFP journalist observed.