Powerful Earthquakes Shake Caracas, Prompting Widespread Panic
The Venezuelan capital, Caracas, experienced two powerful earthquakes within seconds of each other on Wednesday, causing widespread panic and significant damage. The tremors, registered at magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, led to building collapses and forced many residents into the streets.
Eyewitness Accounts of the Tremors
Journalist Nicole Kolster was at her home in Caracas when her apartment began to shake violently. She recounted, "I saw the windows moving, and the only thing I could think to do was to get between the front door and a stone wall... to try to protect myself." Kolster described the event as the strongest earthquake she had ever experienced, fearing her building would collapse. She remained in a protective position on her seventh-story apartment until neighbors urged evacuation. "An hour after the quake, everyone is still outside waiting for safety in case there's an aftershock," she noted, adding that her district, Palos Grandes, was among the hardest hit.
Many residents were at home during the quakes due to a national holiday commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo. Images and videos from affected areas depicted people in distress, some in tears or embracing in the streets. Kolster also mentioned hearing calls for help from the rubble of a nearby collapsed building and observed residents attempting to retrieve pets and cars amidst fears of further aftershocks.
Maria Elise, another resident of Palos Grandes, reported cracked walls in her apartment and observed fallen utility poles, a loss of electricity, and no signal in her area.
Comparing to Past Seismic Events
The recent earthquakes have been described by some as more severe than the 1967 Caracas earthquake, a 6.6-magnitude event that claimed over 200 lives and destroyed buildings in areas like Palos Grandes and Altamira. Coro Martinez, a 56-year-old resident in eastern Caracas, told Reuters, "There was a very loud crash. Things fell in the house, jugs inside the refrigerator. I've never experienced anything like it." Eighty-year-old pensioner Maria Romero echoed this sentiment, stating, "This earthquake was horrible, even worse than the one in 1967."
Watch: Moment earthquake hits Venezuela and leaves buildings collapsed
While photos illustrate collapsed structures and people gathered outdoors, the full extent of casualties and damage remains unclear.
Source: 'I saw the windows moving' - Venezuelans describe panic as tremors hit