SouthernWorldwide.com – Two significant earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing considerable disruption and prompting a dramatic evacuation of a baseball stadium.
As the ground violently shook, players and spectators alike were seen fleeing the baseball field. Social media footage captured fans rushing towards the exits amidst the trembling stadium.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the initial seismic event registered a magnitude of 7.1. This was swiftly followed by a second, more powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 magnitude just moments later.
These earthquakes, with epicenters near the coastal city of Morón, approximately 104 miles west of the capital, Caracas, were shallow. This shallowness intensified the shaking felt across a broad region.
According to reports, these seismic events rank among the strongest to have impacted Venezuela in over a century. The tremors occurred shortly after 6 p.m. local time.
In Caracas, residents evacuated buildings that were swaying precariously and remained outside, many visibly shaken. They observed entire walls that had collapsed, revealing furniture from the street.
Dust columns were visible in several neighborhoods of the capital, where businesses like restaurants were typically bustling. People stayed on the streets even after sunset, some holding their pets, as dust settled around them.
Authorities confirmed structural damage in various parts of Caracas, including collapsed walls and compromised buildings. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello advised residents to stay outdoors in safe areas due to the potential for aftershocks to further destabilize weakened structures.
One Caracas resident, Hector Ricci, described the experience, noting that the shaking began gently and gradually intensified. He explained that everyone eventually had to leave their homes and gather outside.
Roberto Damas, another resident of Caracas, recounted the intense shaking. He described the building swaying violently from side to side with incredible force, making it difficult to walk. Everything in his apartment fell, but he expressed gratitude for being able to evacuate safely.
The seismic activity was felt throughout a large portion of northern Venezuela and extended into neighboring Colombia. Tsunami advisories were briefly issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands but were later canceled after assessments indicated the threat had passed.
Officials were continuing to evaluate the full extent of the damage on Wednesday night. The scale of the destruction and its human impact were not immediately clear.
