Venezuelans React as Earthquakes Strike During Public Holiday
Many Venezuelans were at home when the earthquakes struck on Wednesday, a public holiday. Several residents shared their experiences during the tremors.
“As soon as it started, we began hearing people screaming,” said Astrid Ramirez, a 41-year-old from Caracas. “Everyone was running down the stairs.”
Residents throughout the capital city hurried to evacuate as buildings trembled.
“There was a very loud crash. Things fell in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator. I’ve never experienced anything like it,” said Coro Martinez, 56, from eastern Caracas.
Maria Romero, an 80-year-old pensioner in southern Caracas, recounted how police assisted her evacuation.
“This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967,” she said. Caracas was previously struck by a deadly magnitude 6.3 earthquake in 1967.
Another resident described receiving an earthquake alert on her phone moments before the shaking intensified.
“It was a normal afternoon, and suddenly my phone sounded an earthquake alert,” she said. “As I picked it up and started listening to what it was saying, I first felt light shaking. Then, in less than two seconds, everything started moving.”
Two Major Earthquakes Impact Venezuela
Two powerful earthquakes struck on Wednesday evening, causing building collapses in Caracas.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, with its epicenter located west of Morón, a community along Venezuela’s Caribbean coast approximately 168 km (104 miles) west of Caracas. The quake occurred at a depth of 13 km (8 miles).
Minutes later, the USGS recorded a stronger earthquake measuring 7.5 in magnitude. This second quake had a depth of 10 km and its epicenter was 16 km (10 miles) southwest of Morón.
The USGS warned,
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.”
Many people remained outdoors, visibly shaken as they observed entire walls collapsed, exposing furniture to the street. Dust clouds were visible in two neighborhoods of Caracas, where restaurants and businesses are typically busy.
Official Responses and Warnings
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that the earthquake was felt across several states and highlighted the Altamira neighborhood in Caracas as experiencing “alarming situations” with collapsed homes and buildings. He urged residents to stay outside due to the risk of aftershocks causing further structural damage.
“We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most,” Cabello said on state television. “Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed.”
He reiterated the importance of remaining outdoors to avoid harm from potential aftershocks.
“The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” said Caracas resident Roberto Damas. “We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out.”
