Venezuela rocked by powerful back-to-back earthquakes

A series of powerful earthquakes rocked north-central Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, shaking buildings and causing damage, with tremors also felt in neighboring Colombia. The first quake registered a magnitude of 7.1, striking about an hour west of the capital, Caracas. A second, even stronger quake of magnitude 7.5 followed shortly after.

“

This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967.

Many Venezuelans were celebrating a public holiday commemorating an 1821 military victory when the first quake hit. Residents in Caracas rushed out of their homes as the tremors intensified. Videos showed fire trucks on the streets and damage to building facades. Power and internet services were disrupted in many areas.

One elderly resident described the earthquake as "horrible, even worse than the one in 1967." Witnesses reported cracks in apartment buildings and shattered glass. The interior minister confirmed that the quake was felt in several states and that "alarming situations" existed in some Caracas neighborhoods, with collapsed homes and buildings. He urged people to remain outside due to the risk of aftershocks and to allow emergency vehicles clear passage.

“

Several walls in my building broke open or cracks formed. As soon as it stopped [shaking] my husband and I evacuated.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued and subsequently canceled a tsunami threat for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands. Separately, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck northern Japan on Thursday, though no major damage was immediately reported.

“

We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most.