A powerful earthquake registering a magnitude of 7.1 jolted Venezuela this afternoon, causing buildings to crumble in several parts of Caracas and inciting widespread panic among the residents of the capital and other cities throughout the nation.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake's epicenter was located in the central-northern region of the country, near Morón in the Carabobo state. It was approximately 21 kilometers east of the town and struck at a depth of around 13 kilometers, categorizing it as a high-impact, shallow earthquake.
The most dramatic scenes emerged from Los Palos Grandes in Caracas, where an entire building collapsed. An eyewitness, who was just 20 meters away, described the moment of destruction: "I was heading to church, the traffic light turned green, people were standing still, and I honked. As I drove past, suddenly the ground shook, I stopped the car, and the building came down."
Journalist Federico A. Black B. confirmed via social media the collapse of buildings in both Los Palos Grandes and San Bernardino, another district in the capital.
VPItv, a local media outlet, also reported structural failures in Altamira, Caracas, following the seismic event. They noted that according to the Colombian Geological Service, the quake registered a magnitude of 7.0. At the time of reporting, there was no official count of injuries or potential fatalities.
The earthquake was strongly felt in Caracas, Maracay, Valencia, Barquisimeto, and Maracaibo, as well as in Colombian cities such as Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, and Cúcuta. Many residents evacuated to the streets for safety, and there were reports of power outages and disruptions in internet and phone services.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba, and Curacao, predicting dangerous sea-level fluctuations starting from 7:19 p.m. on Wednesday.
Opposition leader María Corina Machado was among the first public figures to respond. She shared a heartfelt message on her X account, offering solidarity with Venezuelans: "My heart, infinite embrace, and prayers are with every Venezuelan home in these distressing hours. May strength, calm, and solidarity prevail among us during this difficult time. May God protect every Venezuelan, our families, and our homes."
Some sources describe this earthquake as the strongest recorded in Venezuela in the past decade. The most recent comparable event was a magnitude 7.3 earthquake on August 21, 2018, centered in the Sucre state, which fortunately resulted in no casualties. Venezuela lies at the junction of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, an area known for significant seismic activity, with active faults such as Boconó and Oca-Antioquia.
Understanding the Recent Earthquake in Venezuela
Where was the epicenter of the recent Venezuela earthquake?
The earthquake's epicenter was located near Morón in the Carabobo state, approximately 21 kilometers east of the town.
How strong was the earthquake that hit Venezuela?
The earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.1 according to the USGS, while the Colombian Geological Service reported it as 7.0.
Which areas were affected by the earthquake in Venezuela?
The earthquake was felt in Caracas, Maracay, Valencia, Barquisimeto, and Maracaibo, and even reached Colombian cities like Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, and Cúcuta.