Venezuelan Earthquakes Cause Destruction and Panic

Caracas, Venezuela – On Wednesday evening, two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in quick succession, leading to widespread damage and fear. The temblors, measuring magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, caused significant destruction in the region.

In cities like Caracas, panicked residents evacuated buildings and took to the streets. The quakes were felt as far as Brazil’s Amazon, over 1,050 miles distant.

Impact and Response

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez addressed the nation, confirming damage in multiple states but providing no details on casualties or the number of affected structures. The Simón Bolívar International Airport suffered enough damage to necessitate its closure.

Rodríguez urged citizens to stay calm and emphasized unity. She encouraged healthcare workers to report to their posts to assist the injured. In response, the Ministry of Education announced the conversion of some schools into shelters and donation centers.

“We urge our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez stated. “We urge unity.”

In the coastal state of Falcon, Gov. Víctor Clark reported that 32 individuals were hospitalized with 15 still trapped hours after the tremors.

Geological Overview

The U.S. Geological Survey reported the first earthquake at a revised magnitude of 7.2 near Morón, 104 miles west of Caracas, with a depth of 14 miles. The following quake, of magnitude 7.5, struck just a minute later, 10 miles southwest of Morón and 6 miles deep.

These earthquakes were among the strongest in over a century in Venezuela. In Caracas, buildings shook violently, and dust from collapsed structures filled the air, creating an unrecognizable landscape.

Community Reactions and International Support

The tremors forced many onto the streets, where they remained for hours. Electricity and cell service outages compounded the chaos. Impacted residents gathered for safety amidst the ruins, as some lost contact with family members due to disrupted communication lines.

“It started off gently and then gradually grew,” said Hector Ricci, a Caracas resident. “We all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together.”

Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and halted subway and natural gas services in the capital. She urged residents to report damages using a state-run app.

Venezuelans rallied on social media, including opposition leader María Corina Machado, who shared her prayers for the nation. International offers of help followed, including staffing from the United States, Chile, and El Salvador.

Diosdado Cabello, the Interior Minister, confirmed the earthquakes’ effects across numerous states. He warned citizens of potential aftershocks and advised caution with children and the elderly.

Onlookers shared harrowing accounts of the quakes’ power. “The building really shook from side to side,” recalled Roberto Gamas from Caracas. “We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell.”

Widespread Effects

Brazilian cities in the Amazon, including Manaus, Belem, and Macapá, evacuated buildings, as media reports indicated. Colombian regions near the Caribbean felt the tremors, but they reported no damage.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center briefly issued alerts, which were soon lifted.

Venezuela’s geographical location makes strong earthquakes less common compared to other Latin American countries like Chile and Mexico, which lie along the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a tectonic hotspot responsible for the majority of global seismic activity.