Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela causing landslides in Caracas

Caracas —
Two strong earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse and facilities to be damaged in the capital Caracas, amid a state of panic that led residents to leave their homes and gather in the streets fearing aftershocks.

The first earthquake occurred west of the town of Morón on the Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers west of Caracas, at a relatively shallow depth, before a stronger second tremor hit about one minute later in an area close to the first epicenter.

Residents of several states felt the two tremors, while the most significant damage was concentrated in Caracas, where collapses were recorded in buildings and walls, especially in some neighborhoods that witnessed rising dust clouds and damage to facades and shops.

Tsunami warning centers issued temporary alerts for several areas in the Caribbean, before some were later lifted, while authorities continued to monitor the possibilities of marine disturbances or subsequent tremors.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the two earthquakes caused significant damage in some areas of the capital, indicating the possibility of injuries, while emergency, ambulance, and civil defense teams continued search and rescue operations and assessed the extent of the losses.

Authorities urged residents to stay away from damaged buildings and remain in open and safe places, warning that aftershocks could lead to additional collapses, especially in facilities that suffered cracks or structural weakness.

These tremors are among the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in decades, raising fears of expanding damage as field surveys progress in the capital and areas close to the earthquake's epicenter.