CARACAS An earthquake sent residents running from their homes and shook buildings across oil exporting Venezuela's densely populated coastal region, including the capital Caracas, before dawn on Monday.

The quake was 5.3 magnitude, with the epicentre 25 miles south of Caracas and at a depth of 6.2 miles, the US Geological Survey said.

The tremor was the second to hit Venezuela in recent weeks, unusual for Opec member nation. Despite early morning rain, many Caracas residents ran from their homes as buildings shook at 440 am (0910 GMT).

Venezuela's Civil Protection Authority said the quake had caused alarm but there were no reports of damage or casualties.

State oil company PDVSA said its installations were unaffected.

The tremor and three smaller aftershocks were felt in several of Venezuela's most populated states close to the Caribbean coast and officials called for calm.—Reuters