Powerful 7.1 and 7.5-magnitude earthquakes hit Venezuela, collapsing buildings in the capital of Caracas

Caracas, Venezuela – Successive strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in the capital, Caracas, and leaving residents shaken.

The US Geological Survey said the first quake measured 7.1 and was centered west of the community of Moron, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas. The depth of the earthquake was 22 kilometers.

The USGS reported a larger 7.5 magnitude earthquake just a minute later. The second earthquake was at a depth of 10 kilometers and was centered 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Moron.

These earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

The earthquakes occurred shortly after 6 p.m. local time. People evacuated the swaying buildings in Caracas and remained outside, many looking in shock when they saw entire walls collapsed, leaving furniture visible from the street. Dust plumes could also be seen in two of the capital’s neighborhoods, where restaurants and other businesses are usually busy. People stayed in the streets after sunset. Some sat on the ground, hugging their pets as dust gathered around them.

“It started gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our homes and go out and gather together,” said Hector Ricci, a resident of Caracas.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the earthquake could be felt in several states. He added that the Altamira neighborhood in Caracas witnessed “worrying conditions” as houses and buildings collapsed, indicating that people were injured in the earthquake and asked motorists to make way for ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

“We realize that some people may be desperate, but we are acting in accordance with protocols to activate relief and rescue efforts to help those most in need,” Cabello told state television. “Be very careful with children and the elderly, call each other and make sure no one gets hurt.”

He also urged people to stay outside because aftershocks could cause further damage to some buildings.

“The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” Caracas resident Roberto Gamas said. “We were walking and the tornado was throwing us around. Everything fell into the apartment. Well, thank God we were able to get out.”

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for the Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued one for the island. Another alert for Puerto Rico was quickly lifted.

Strong earthquakes are unusual in Venezuela.

While the country is located near multiple fault lines, its location straddling the South American and Caribbean plates makes earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America. Along the Pacific coast – in Mexico and Chile, for example – earthquakes are frequent; The two countries lie along a seismically active tectonic belt known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is responsible for 90% of earthquakes, according to the US Geological Survey.

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Garcia Cano reported from Bogotá, Colombia. Ana Catherine Brigada contributed from Mexico City.