Two Powerful Earthquakes Strike Venezuela, Collapsing Buildings and Sending Residents Into the Streets
News compilation from: https://www.nytimes.com/
Two major earthquakes struck central Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse, knocking out electricity, and sending frightened residents rushing into the streets. The full scale of the damage and the number of casualties were not immediately clear, but early reports raised fears of a widespread disaster.
According to U.S. monitoring agencies cited in the report, the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2 and was followed less than a minute later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake. The U.S. Geological Survey described the event as a “severe seismic doublet sequence,” with the epicenter near San Felipe, a city in Yaracuy state located roughly 200 miles west of Caracas.
The earthquakes struck shortly after 6 p.m. local time. As seismologists continue reviewing the data, the reported magnitudes may still be revised.
Buildings Collapse as Fear Spreads Across Caracas
The tremors were felt across several parts of Venezuela, including the capital, Caracas. Residents reported violent shaking, power outages, and scenes of panic as people poured out of homes and buildings.
In the Caracas neighborhood of El Paraíso, emergency responders searched through the wreckage of a collapsed six-story residential building. Dozens of anxious relatives gathered behind police tape as members of the National Guard, police, and Civil Protection climbed over the rubble, calling out the names of missing residents.
Rescuers urged onlookers to remain silent so trapped survivors could be heard. According to the report, rescue workers successfully pulled a young girl and a dog from the debris.
Videos circulating on social media showed passengers running for safety inside the international airport in Maiquetía, near Caracas. Other images appeared to show rescue teams searching through collapsed structures in the capital.
Officials Warn Residents to Leave Damaged Buildings
Venezuela’s interior minister, Diosdado Cabello, appeared on state television and urged people to stay away from damaged buildings. He warned that aftershocks could worsen existing structural weaknesses.
That warning came as the U.S. Geological Survey noted that many people in the affected area live in structures made of unreinforced brick masonry and adobe block construction, both of which are especially vulnerable during strong earthquakes.
In Valencia, west of Caracas, resident Josefina Hernández described hearing a deafening noise as the power suddenly went out and everything inside her home began moving. She said people were frantic and screaming as they rushed outside, unsure of what was happening.
Near San Felipe, where the epicenter was reported, residents also described terrifying moments as walls shook and parts of buildings began to fall. Some said they planned to spend the night outdoors because they feared more aftershocks.
Largest Quake Since 1900 Raises Disaster Fears
The stronger of Wednesday’s earthquakes was described in the report as the largest to hit Venezuela since 1900. The power of the quakes, combined with the presence of vulnerable buildings in the affected region, heightened concerns that the disaster could be severe.
The earthquakes quickly drew comparisons to the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which caused major destruction in the capital and left more than 200 people dead. Some areas that reportedly suffered damage on Wednesday, including Altamira and Los Palos Grandes, were also affected during the 1967 disaster.
Although the latest quakes struck on land, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center briefly issued tsunami warnings for the coasts of Venezuela, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Aruba.
Venezuelans Abroad Scramble to Reach Loved Ones
The disaster also sent shockwaves through Venezuelan communities abroad, especially in South Florida, where many residents have relatives and friends in Venezuela.
Members of the Venezuelan community in the Miami area reportedly struggled to reach family members because of spotty cell service and internet disruptions. In Doral, a city with a large Venezuelan population, local leaders and volunteers began organizing aid efforts shortly after the earthquakes.
For many Venezuelans living abroad, the immediate fear was not only the destruction shown in early images, but the uncertainty of not being able to contact loved ones.
A Nation Already Under Pressure
The earthquakes struck a country already facing serious economic and infrastructure challenges. Venezuela has long struggled with outdated systems, declining public services, and limited resources in many areas.
That context may make recovery even more difficult, especially if damage proves widespread. Officials had not immediately confirmed the full extent of casualties or destruction, and emergency teams were still assessing the situation Wednesday night.
As rescue efforts continued, the focus remained on finding survivors, securing damaged buildings, restoring communication, and understanding the true scale of the disaster.
For now, Venezuela is facing a frightening and uncertain aftermath after two of the most powerful earthquakes in its modern history shook the country within seconds of each other.
