5.1-magnitude earthquake in the state of Mérida triggered a rockslide. 1 fatality reported

One killed in rockslide triggered by earthquake in Venezuela

 

By Andrew V. Pestano   |   Nov. 23, 2015 at 1:50 PM

 

 

 

 

A rockslide similar to the one pictured caused two vehicles to crash in Venezuela, killing one man. The slide was triggered by an earthquake. File photo by GCRO Images/Shutterstock

 

CARACAS, Venezuela, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- One person was killed in Venezuela when a rockslide was triggered by a 5.1-magnitude earthquake in the state of Mérida, causing a traffic collision.

 

The Venezuelan Foundation of Seismological Research, or FUNVISIS, reported the epicenter of the earthquake was located about 18 miles southeast of the town of El Vigía at 4:08 p.m. at a depth of about 3 miles. Multiple aftershocks were recorded in the region.

Blas Federico Méndez, 41, died immediately and his son Emmanuel Méndez, 32, was injured after their vehicle made a frontal collision with an SUV. Both vehicles attempted to evade debris from a rockslide, but collided in the process. Two people inside the SUV were injured, El Universal reported.

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