Venezuela was rocked by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on Thursday, causing panic across the country and causing extensive damage to the capital city of Caracas.
The strong seismic shocks rocked much of northern Venezuela and neighboring Caribbean islands sharply and rocked the entire country in a short-lived period of time, shaking large parts of northern Venezuela and other Caribbean islands in a short period of time. Residents reported extreme shaking for several seconds that caused thousands to leave and rush out of their homes, offices, malls, shopping centres, hotels, and public buildings.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes in Caracas in which buildings shook, and debris fell onto streets. Many buildings were thought to be heavily damaged, and some collapsed under the force of the tremors, according to preliminary reports. Emergency workers were sent into the affected areas to search for casualties and assess the structural damage.
The earthquakes were felt in coastal areas and in parts of the Caribbean, including Aruba and Curaçao, where residents reported strong tremors. But there was no immediate damage reported, officials in those territories said.
Emergency services across Venezuela were on high alert as rescue teams, firefighters, and medical workers rushed to respond to calls from affected areas. Hospitals started to process injured people, and government agencies started to assess the extent of the damage.
Experts warned that earthquakes of magnitude 7.0 and above can cause major damage, particularly in densely populated cities. Seismologists warned that strong aftershocks are expected and urged residents to be prepared for strong aftershocks, to avoid damaged buildings, and to follow safety advice.
Transportation networks, power infrastructure, and communications networks were also being checked for damage. Some areas experienced power outages and disruption to mobile networks after the earthquakes.
There is no official death toll yet, and the extent of damage is unclear. Emergency workers will continue to search for survivors and help displaced residents through the night as they search for buildings.
The earthquakes are a stark reminder of the seismic risks that countries along the Caribbean-South American tectonic boundary bear. Venezuela is still in recovery mode, and emergency response and the safety of the people affected by the disaster remain the focus.
Officials called on people to remain calm, stay informed through official channels, and be on the lookout for possible aftershocks in the next few days and hours.
