Venezuela urges 'maximum prudence' after powerful earthquakes

Venezuela was shaken by two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.5 and 7.2, causing significant material damage across the central region of the country. As of now, no figures for injuries or fatalities have been reported, but authorities are assessing the extent of the damage.

“

It is maximum prudence, maximum awareness and good to understand the situation we are experiencing at this moment.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello addressed the nation, urging citizens to exercise "maximum prudence" and "maximum awareness." He emphasized the need for people to understand the current situation and advised them to avoid staying in their homes or buildings. "Go outside, wait calmly in the street, and report any situation to the agencies deployed throughout the national territory," Cabello stated.

He further recommended that people stay away from buildings, structures, and large trees. The two strong earthquakes struck the Venezuelan Caribbean just 39 seconds apart. The U.S. official tsunami alert system initially reported the first tremor at a magnitude of 7.2, but later reclassified it as a precursor to the main 7.5 magnitude earthquake after analyzing seismic records.

“

Go outside, wait calmly in the street and report any situation to the agencies deployed throughout the national territory.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center explained that the two tremors constituted a "seismic double," a phenomenon where two large earthquakes occur in the same area within a short time frame. The official information was updated to identify the 7.5 magnitude quake as the primary event. Following the earthquake, the Tsunami Alert System canceled the alert that had been issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“

stay away from buildings, stay away from structures, stay away from large trees.