Buildings collapse after back-to-back quakes rock Venezuela

The United States Embassy in Caracas said it was “closely monitoring” the situation after two powerful quakes hit central Venezuela on Wednesday.

The US Embassy urged American citizens in a post on X to “avoid damaged areas and do not enter damaged buildings” and “seek secure shelter.”

The embassy also asked people to monitor both the US State Department website and local media.

The two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 destroyed buildings in Caracas and drove people into the streets.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands after the earthquake.

It said hazardous waves could affect Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire as well.

However, the warning was withdrawn about an hour later.

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“This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967,” Maria Romero, an 80-year-old pensioner from southern Caracas, told Reuters after two quakes struck the center of the country on Wednesday.

In 1967, Caracas was struck by a devastating magnitude 6.3 earthquake, which left more than 1,500 people injured and between 225 and 300 people dead.

Even deadlier earthquakes struck Venezuela in the 19th century. According to the USGS, an estimated 30,000 people were killed by a powerful earthquake that caused widespread destruction in Merida and Caracas in 1812.

Venezuela is located in an area of seismic activity where the Caribbean Plate and the South American Plate meet.

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Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said she will address the nation soon.

Rodriguez said in a post on X that she will report on the situation following the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakesthat hit the country on Wednesday.

The quakes are among the strongest seismic events globally so far this year, according to United States Geological Survey (USGS).

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described the situation in the country following the earthquakes as “extremely alarming.” He said that some buildings had collapsed and urged residents to take shelter.

Cabello urged people to stay outside, warning that aftershocks were likely to occur and could cause additional structural damage to already weakened buildings. As a precaution to prevent explosions, officials also ordered gas supplies to be shut off.

“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 also suggested people were injured in the earthquake and asked motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

Strong earthquakes brought buildings down in Caracas.

“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The USGS said, based on data from the types of structures common in the area, that there was a 44% chance that fatalities will exceed 10,000.

Venezuelan authorities did not immediately provide estimates of deaths or injuries.

On state television, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced that some buildings had been brought down and houses had collapsed in Caracas.

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake shook Venezuela on Wednesday evening, swaying buildings and homes in the capital of Caracas.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake’s epicenter was located about 17 miles (28 kilometers) west of the community of Moron, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 104 miles from Caracas.

The quake had a depth of 13 kilometers.

A second, even larger earthquake measuring 7.5 magnitude hit the same area just 39 seconds after the first quake. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers.

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