On Wednesday evening, Venezuela experienced two significant earthquakes that caused considerable disruption. The tremors sent players and spectators scrambling out of a baseball stadium as the ground shook beneath them. Video footage shared online shows the panic as fans rushed for the exits.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the first earthquake registered at a magnitude of 7.1, followed shortly by a stronger 7.5 magnitude quake. The epicenters were near Morón, a coastal city about 104 miles west of Caracas, the capital city. Both quakes were shallow, which intensified the shaking effect over a large area.
According to reports, this seismic activity ranks among the most powerful to affect Venezuela in over a century. The earthquakes struck shortly after 6 p.m. local time. Many residents of Caracas evacuated swaying buildings, witnessing the collapse of walls and the exposure of interiors from the street. Dust clouds arose in various neighborhoods where businesses and eateries are usually active.
Authorities noted structural damage in Caracas, including collapsed walls and compromised buildings. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello advised people to stay in open areas to avoid the risk of aftershocks weakening structures further.
“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” said Hector Ricci, a resident of Caracas.
Roberto Damas described the sensation: “The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong. Everything in the apartment fell. Thank God we were able to get out.”
The quakes were felt throughout much of northern Venezuela and reached into Colombia. Tsunami alerts were issued briefly for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands but were later canceled after assessing the threat.
Officials are still evaluating the damage, and details on the extent of the destruction or any casualties are not immediately available.
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