Back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, with the second registering a magnitude of 7.5, causing building collapses in the capital Caracas and sparking terror at Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia. The US Geological Survey reported the initial earthquake at 7.1 magnitude, with its epicentre west of Morón, about 104 miles west of Caracas, at a depth of eight miles. Minutes later, a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit at a depth of six miles, with the epicentre 10 miles southwest of Morón.
Damage at Airport and Building Collapses
Video clips on social media showed people fleeing through the terminal at Maiquetia Airport in terror after the earthquakes. Destruction was confirmed at Simon Bolivar Airport. Building collapses were reported in multiple districts of Caracas, including the municipality of Naguanagua. Accounts emerged of people trapped beneath debris in Falcón, Tucacas, and the Los Palos Grandes district of Caracas, where a multi-storey building collapsed and search and rescue efforts were underway. Internet and mobile tower failures were also reported.
Tsunami Advisory and Aftershock Warnings
A tsunami advisory was issued warning of hazardous waves for coasts within 300 kilometres of the epicentre. A tsunami alert and evacuation were in progress in Lomas de Urdaneta. A landslide was reported in Montalban. Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the tremor was felt across multiple states and noted "alarming" situations in the Altamira district of Caracas, with homes and buildings collapsed. He urged the public to stay outdoors as aftershocks could inflict additional damage.
Historical Context and Regional Impact
Wednesday's earthquakes are among the most powerful to hit Venezuela in over a century, compared to the 1900 San Narciso earthquake (7.6 magnitude) and the 2018 Sucre earthquake (7.3 magnitude). The shakes were felt in neighbouring Colombia, particularly in the Caribbean region and northeast, but no damage or casualties were reported. The Colombian Maritime Authority clarified there was no tsunami warning for Colombia's Caribbean coast.
