On Wednesday evening, Venezuela experienced two significant earthquakes, causing alarm among residents. The tremors prompted people, including those at a baseball stadium, to flee as the ground shook.
Social media footage showed spectators rushing toward exits as the tremors hit. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first quake registered at a magnitude of 7.1. Just moments later, a more powerful quake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck nearby.
The epicenters were near the city of Morón, roughly 104 miles from Caracas, the country’s capital. Both quakes were shallow, enhancing the felt intensity over a wide area.
Venezuela’s recent earthquakes rank among the most severe the nation has faced in over a century. They occurred shortly after 6 p.m. local time, leading to building evacuations in Caracas. Witnesses described seeing collapsed walls and exposed furniture visible from the streets.
Columns of dust rose in two neighborhoods known for busy restaurants and businesses. Many residents chose to stay outside, some sitting on the ground with their pets, surrounded by settling dust.
Reports indicated structural damage, including collapsed walls and compromised buildings in parts of Caracas. Authorities advised people to stay outdoors for safety, anticipating potential aftershocks.
“It started off gently and then gradually grew,” said Hector Ricci, a resident of Caracas, as he described the experience. “We all had to leave our houses and gather together outside.”
Roberto Damas, another local, recounted his experience during the quake. “The building really shook from side to side. Everything in the apartment fell,” he stated. Despite the chaos, they managed to evacuate safely.
The tremors were felt across northern Venezuela and even reached neighboring Colombia. Initially, tsunami advisories were issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands but were canceled once the threat subsided. As authorities continued to evaluate the damage, the extent and human impact remained unclear.