Two devastating earthquakes struck Venezuela in quick succession on Wednesday, June 24, causing buildings to collapse in the capital Caracas and sparking widespread panic. The US Geological Survey confirmed the first earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.1, with its epicentre located west of the community of Morón, along the country's Caribbean coast, approximately 104 miles west of Caracas. The quake struck at a depth of eight miles. Just minutes later, the USGS reported an even more powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake had hit the same region, at a depth of six miles, with its epicentre 10 miles southwest of Morón.
Chaos at Simon Bolivar Airport
Videos circulating on social media captured scenes of chaos at Simon Bolivar Airport in Maiquetia, near the Venezuelan capital, in the aftermath of the twin earthquakes. Structural collapses have since been reported across several districts of Caracas, including the municipality of Naguanagua. Widespread internet and mobile network outages have also been recorded throughout the affected areas, according to reports.
Rescue Operations Underway
Social media reports suggest that people remain trapped beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings in Falcón, Tucacas and the Los Palos Grandes district of Caracas, where search and rescue teams have launched operations following the collapse of a multi-storey building. A tsunami advisory was issued, warning of potentially hazardous tsunami waves along coasts within 300 kilometres of the earthquake's epicentre. A tsunami warning and evacuation is now under way in Lomas de Urdaneta. Reports of a landslide in Montalban are also emerging in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Government Response
Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that the earthquake was felt across multiple states. He added that in the Altamira neighbourhood of Caracas, "alarming" situations were reported, with accounts suggesting that homes and buildings had collapsed. He urged residents to remain outdoors, warning that aftershocks were likely and could cause further structural damage.
Historical Context
Wednesday's earthquakes rank amongst the most powerful to have struck Venezuela in more than a century. In 1900, the San Narciso earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.6, while the 2018 Sucre earthquake measured 7.3. The tremors have also been felt in neighbouring Colombia, particularly in the Caribbean region and the north-east of the country, though no damage or casualties have been reported. The Colombian Maritime Authority confirmed in a statement that there is no tsunami warning in place for Colombia's Caribbean coastline.
