Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing significant damage in the capital, Caracas, and triggering tsunami alerts across the Caribbean. The first quake, measuring 7.1 in magnitude, struck near Montalbán at 18:04 local time at a depth of 13 kilometers, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Minutes later, a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the same region at a shallower depth of 10 kilometers, with its epicenter around 16 kilometers southwest of Morón.
The tremors were felt across Venezuela and neighboring Colombia, where buildings were evacuated as a precaution. In Caracas, residents rushed out of swaying buildings as walls collapsed and dust clouds rose. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that several buildings had been damaged, particularly in the Altamira neighborhood, where homes and structures collapsed. He urged residents to remain outdoors due to the risk of aftershocks and appealed for roads to be kept clear for emergency responders.
The US Tsunami Warning System issued alerts for Venezuela, Aruba, Bonaire, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, though some advisories were later canceled. The quakes occurred along the boundary of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, an area prone to seismic activity. While Venezuela experiences hundreds of small earthquakes annually, such destructive events are less common.
Authorities have not yet provided official casualty figures, but the USGS warned of high casualties and extensive damage, estimating potential fatalities between 10,000 and 100,000. Emergency crews are responding to reports of collapsed buildings, damaged homes, and widespread power outages. Videos on social media showed residents fleeing into the streets as structures crumbled.
The earthquakes struck during a public holiday commemorating Venezuela’s independence from Spain, with many residents at home when the tremors hit. The extent of damage and injuries remains unclear as assessments continue.