Venezuela Hit by Two Powerful Earthquakes, Causing Panic and Damage

On Wednesday evening, Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes that caused panic and evacuation, especially among spectators at a baseball stadium. The first quake had a magnitude of 7.1, followed closely by a second, measuring 7.5. The epicenters were near the coastal city of Morón, about 104 miles west of Caracas, leading to widespread shaking.

These earthquakes are the strongest to affect Venezuela in more than a century. The tremors began shortly after 6 p.m. local time, causing significant distress in the capital. As buildings swayed, many people evacuated, witnessing collapsed walls and visible furniture from the street. Dust clouds were seen in two bustling neighborhoods.

Authorities reported structural damage across Caracas, including collapsed walls and damaged buildings. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello advised residents to stay outside for safety, as aftershocks could worsen the destruction. Hector Ricci, a local resident, described the sequence starting gently and intensifying, forcing everyone outside. Roberto Damas recounted the building shaking from side to side with significant force, noting everything inside his apartment fell.

First responders attended damaged areas, including Los Palos Grandes. The earthquakes’ impact was felt in northern Venezuela and parts of Colombia. Brief tsunami advisories were issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, later canceled. Officials continued to assess damage Wednesday night, with the scale of destruction and human impact still unclear.