Series of Powerful Earthquakes Strike Venezuela (Videos)
Strong shaking was reported in the capital, Caracas, and across multiple states, extending as far as neighboring Colombia.
More than ten powerful earthquakes struck northwestern Venezuela on Wednesday and early Thursday, generating widespread tremors throughout the South American country, reaching the capital, Caracas.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (Funvisis) indicated that several tremors surpassed a magnitude of 5.8, with two of them registering above 6.
The epicenter was situated near Mene Grande in Zulia, an oil-rich state, approximately 600km (370 miles) west of Caracas. The most powerful quake, recorded at magnitude 6.3, occurred at 5:21 pm local time.
A minimum of 21 aftershocks have been documented within the preceding seven-hour period. Local seismologists continue to monitor ongoing activity in the region.
While no casualties have been reported, videos and photos circulated online depicted cracked walls in high-rise buildings and damaged roadways.
A powerful magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck, with its epicenter in Mene Grande. Videos of the seismic event in the South American nation are being shared across social media.
— Nación Digital (@naciondigitall)
The shaking was most intensely felt in the country’s western states, particularly the city of Maracaibo, prompting residents to evacuate structures as cracks began to form.
🇻🇪 | Footage of the magnitude 6.1 earthquake recorded in Venezuela, with its epicenter in Zulia state.
— Alerta News 24 (@AlertaNews24)
Zulia Governor Luis Caldera reported damage to several hospitals and to the prominent Santa Barbara Church, with online videos illustrating a cross having detached from one of its domes.
A security camera video from Maracaibo captured the moment of the strong magnitude 6.4 earthquake that struck Venezuela last night. A residence collapsed, but thankfully, no one was inside.
— Carlos Juan Semidey (@Centinela_35)
Valera additionally reported the emergence of structural cracks and that tremors were felt in the Andean cities of San Cristobal and Merida.
Firefighters are assessing damage at Maracaibo’s Santa Barbara church following the powerful earthquake. –
— Reporte Ya (@ReporteYa)
The seismic event was also perceptible in Caracas, where buildings swayed and many residents evacuated their apartments, local media reported.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez stated that Civil Protection and military forces had been deployed nationwide to assist with evacuations and damage.
”No fatalities have been registered, and President Nicolas Maduro has activated a national risk management system from the Command Post,” she announced late on Wednesday.
🚨 Seismic Alert! Earthquake in Venezuela 🇻🇪
— Chakruto Finds (@ChakrutoFinds)
The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management confirmed there was no tsunami threat.
BREAKING | Funvisis registered this magnitude 6 earthquake, as published on X, with its epicenter 45 kilometers east of Bachaquero, in Zulia. The accompanying images are from Dr. Luis Razetti Hospital in Barinas.
— AlbertoRodNews (@AlbertoRodNews)
Venezuela is situated along multiple fault lines where the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates meet. Approximately 80% of its populace resides in seismically active zones. Over the past century, the country has experienced five major earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.2 event off its northern coast in 2018. Venezuela’s most recent fatal earthquake struck Cariaco in 1997, resulting in 73 deaths.