Venezuela has been hit by two powerful earthquakes in quick succession, raising fears of widespread destruction and a potentially devastating loss of life. Reports of damaged and collapsed buildings have emerged from several areas, including the capital city of Caracas, as thousands of residents rushed out of homes and offices in panic.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that the disaster could result in more than 10,000 deaths, although official casualty figures have not yet been confirmed.
Two Strong Earthquakes Strike Within Minutes
The first earthquake was initially measured at magnitude 7.1 before USGS revised it to 7.2. Its epicentre was located west of Morón, a coastal area on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, around 168 kilometres west of Caracas. The quake struck at a depth of approximately 22 kilometres.
Just one minute later, a second and even stronger earthquake was recorded. USGS reported that the second tremor measured 7.5 in magnitude and struck at a shallower depth of around 10 kilometres. Its epicentre was located about 16 kilometres southwest of Morón.
The back-to-back earthquakes triggered panic across the country, with residents fleeing buildings as walls shook and debris fell in several locations.
Tremors Felt as Far as Brazil’s Amazon Region
The impact of the earthquakes was felt far beyond Venezuela. Tremors reached areas nearly 1,700 kilometres away, including cities in Brazil’s Amazon region, where some buildings were evacuated as a safety measure.
Caracas Residents Run Into the Streets
In Caracas, people were seen leaving offices, apartments and commercial buildings as the ground shook. Residents described scenes of confusion and fear, with some buildings suffering major damage.
In a few parts of the capital, entire walls reportedly collapsed, exposing furniture and interiors from the street. Dust clouds were also seen rising from two busy commercial neighbourhoods known for restaurants and local businesses.
Many residents said they were shocked by the intensity of the tremors, which are being described as among the strongest earthquakes to strike Venezuela in more than a century.
Government Faces Criticism Over Delayed Response
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez was expected to address the nation late Wednesday night. However, criticism grew after no official address was delivered within the first three hours following the earthquakes. Political leaders and residents also questioned the lack of immediate government information regarding injuries, deaths or the extent of the damage.
Rescue Efforts and Damage Assessment Underway
Emergency teams are working to assess the damage in the worst-hit regions, while officials continue to monitor the possibility of aftershocks. With the full scale of destruction still unclear, concerns remain high over the number of people trapped in damaged buildings and the condition of infrastructure across the country.