On Wednesday, Venezuela experienced one of its most devastating earthquakes in recent memory. The quake, originally recorded at a magnitude of 7.1 and later upgraded to 7.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck at 6:04 PM local time. Its epicenter was located 21 kilometers west of Morón in Carabobo state, leading to collapsed buildings, widespread panic in Caracas, and the confirmation of the first fatalities.
Gustavo Duque, the mayor of Chacao municipality, was among the initial officials to acknowledge casualties, though he didn't specify the number. He reported at least two structural collapses in Los Palos Grandes, an area in the eastern part of the capital.
Rescue teams successfully extracted 16 injured individuals from the rubble in that area. Duque cautioned residents against returning to Los Palos Grandes due to potential aftershocks, advising them to wait until the safety of the infrastructure is assessed.
Massive Aftershocks and Widespread Impact
The initial earthquake was followed just 40 seconds later by a significant aftershock of 7.5 magnitude, in addition to more than 20 subsequent tremors. The seismic activity, originating at a depth of 13.2 kilometers, was strongly felt in cities such as Caracas, Maracay, Valencia, Barquisimeto, and Maracaibo in Venezuela, as well as in Bogotá, Medellín, and other Colombian cities.
In Caracas, the 14-story Petunia residential building and the Bancaribe building both collapsed. Witness Michael Alicastro recounted assisting in the rescue of five people and a pet from the Petunia building. In Miranda state, over 90 structures sustained damage.
Government Response and Public Safety Concerns
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed multiple collapses and described "alarming situations." He ordered the suspension of direct gas services to buildings to prevent accidents, stating, "We have some damaged structures and we don't want any gas-related accidents to occur."
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national state of emergency in a brief televised address, halted school activities, and activated the National Protection System. While she didn't provide death tolls, she offered condolences to those who lost family members.
Power outages affected several areas of Caracas. Survivor accounts collected by AFP conveyed the terror experienced. Odalis Escalona, 54, described, "The stairs fell, the wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrifying." Carmen Guédez, 69, noted, "It intensified. I saw the windows start to move, then everything shook."
Potential for Catastrophic Loss
The situation could prove catastrophic. According to a report from La Nación based on data from the USGS and international agencies, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 44% chance that fatalities could exceed 10,000, with economic losses ranging from 2% to 20% of Venezuela's GDP. Over 500,000 people were exposed to severe shaking, and approximately 117,000 to violent levels.
USGS seismologist Paul Earle described the earthquakes as "devastating," warning the New York Times that "the death toll could range from over 1,000 to tens of thousands."
The neighborhoods of Altamira and Los Palos Grandes in Chacao were notably impacted, reminiscent of the 1967 Caracas earthquake that claimed 236 lives. Wednesday's quake marks the most powerful seismic event recorded in Venezuela in decades.
Key Questions About the Venezuelan Earthquakes
What was the magnitude of the initial earthquake in Venezuela?
The initial earthquake in Venezuela was recorded at a magnitude of 7.1, which was later revised to 7.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey.
How did the Venezuelan government respond to the earthquake?
The Venezuelan government declared a national state of emergency, suspended school activities, activated the National Protection System, and cut gas services to prevent accidents.
Which areas were most affected by the earthquake?
The earthquake severely impacted areas such as Caracas, Maracay, Valencia, Barquisimeto, Maracaibo, and was felt in Colombian cities like Bogotá and Medellín.