Powerful Earthquakes Hit Venezuela
On Wednesday night, Venezuela experienced two significant earthquakes, one causing a stir at a baseball stadium as players and fans fled in panic.
Clips circulating on social media captured the chaotic scene, with attendees rushing for safety while the ground shook beneath them.
The first quake measured 7.1 in magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Just under a minute later, a stronger quake, registering 7.5, struck nearby.
The epicenter was located close to the coastal city of Moron, about 164 miles from Caracas, the capital. Both tremors were relatively shallow, leading to a noticeable increase in shaking over a broad area.
The New York Daily News reported that this quake might be one of the most powerful to hit Venezuela in over a century.
According to local reports, the earthquake occurred shortly after 6 PM, prompting people in Caracas to evacuate from trembling buildings. Many were visibly shocked as they witnessed walls buckle and furniture topple into the streets.
There were also visible dust clouds in busy areas of the capital where restaurants and shops are typically filled with customers. Post-sunset, people remained outside, some sitting on the ground with their pets as dust settled around them.
Authorities noted several instances of structural damage in Caracas, including collapsed walls and various impacted buildings. The Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, advised residents to stay outdoors, warning that aftershocks could jeopardize already weakened structures.
Hector Ricci, a resident of Caracas, described the situation: “Initially, it was calm, but then it escalated, and everyone felt the urgency to leave their homes.” Another local, Roberto Damas, recounted the intensity of the shaking. “It felt surreal. The building rocked side to side with incredible force. We were just trying to keep our balance, and everything in our apartment fell. Thankfully, we made it out unscathed.”
The tremors were felt widely across northern Venezuela and even reached into neighboring Colombia. Initially, a tsunami advisory was issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands but was later lifted as the threat subsided.
As night fell, authorities continued to evaluate the damage’s extent, though reports indicated that the full scope of destruction and the potential human toll was still unclear.
