Caracas: Two strong earthquakes struck the South American country of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread panic.
The powerful earthquake caused buildings to collapse in several areas, including the capital Caracas, and people fled their homes and offices in panic.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale, with its epicenter located west of the town of Morón on the Caribbean coast. The earthquake occurred at a depth of about 22 kilometers.
Just a minute after the first earthquake, another, even stronger, magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred. Its epicenter was about 16 kilometers southwest of Morón and was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers.
Experts say it is one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in the past 100 years.
Increased anxiety in the capital Caracas:
The earthquake struck shortly after 6pm local time, causing buildings to shake violently in many parts of the city of Caracas. Many residents and business people immediately came out of their buildings and took shelter in the streets.
In some areas, walls of buildings collapsed and furniture inside houses could be seen from the street. Images of the dust-filled air have gone viral on social media.
Local resident Hector Ricci said, “At first, the tremors started small. Then they got stronger. Finally, everyone ran out of their houses and stood together.”
Venezuelan Minister Diosdado Cabello said that the earthquake had a serious impact on several states in the country.
There were reports of houses and buildings collapsing in the Altamira area of Caracas, and there are possible injuries, he said.
Rescue and medical teams are working, and the public has been asked to give way to ambulances and emergency vehicles.
“It is natural for people to be worried. But we are following all safety measures and have accelerated rescue operations. Special care is being taken for children and the elderly,” he said.
Tsunami warning
Meanwhile, the US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for the Virgin Islands, noting the intensity of the earthquake.
Earthquakes are rare in Venezuela
Although Venezuela is located near several fault lines, its geographic location between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates means that earthquakes occur less frequently here than in countries such as Mexico and Chile.
However, this time, the country has been rocked by successive earthquakes of magnitude 7.1 and 7.5, and officials are still gathering information on the extent of damage and possible casualties. Rescue operations are ongoing, and the next few hours are crucial.