Venezuela Residents Left Shocked and Homeless After Twin Earthquakes in Quick Succession

Panic gripped Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country within seconds of each other on Wednesday evening, damaging buildings, forcing the closure of the country's main international airport and sending thousands of frightened residents rushing into the streets. The twin earthquakes, followed by at least 20 aftershocks, prompted authorities to declare a state of emergency as emergency teams assessed the extent of the destruction and searched damaged buildings. Officials said the hardest-hit regions included Caracas, Carabobo, Miranda, La Guaira and Trujillo, while the number of casualties was yet to be confirmed.

Residents described terrifying moments as buildings shook violently and structures began to crack around them. "The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible," said 54-year-old bank employee Odalis Escalona, recalling the frightening experience. Shopkeeper Heidi Romero, who was inside a shopping centre when the earthquake struck, said the tremors seemed endless. "It was unbelievable, I don't even know how long it lasted," she said, adding that people were evacuated through emergency staircases as panic spread throughout the building.

Many residents said they had little time to react as the shaking intensified. Carmen Guedez, who was caring for her bedridden sister at home, said the earthquake grew stronger within seconds, causing windows to rattle violently before the entire building shook. Unable to leave immediately, she huddled together with her sister and a neighbour until the tremors subsided. Outside, many residents remained on the streets, fearful of returning to their homes amid continuing aftershocks and concerns over the stability of damaged buildings.

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According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck near the coastal town of Moron before a second, stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit the same region just 39 seconds later. Authorities said the earthquakes caused structural damage in several locations, including the collapse of a 22-storey building in Caracas' Altamira neighbourhood. Venezuela's Maiquetia International Airport was temporarily closed after sustaining significant infrastructure damage, while gas supplies to several buildings were shut off as a precaution to prevent further accidents.

The earthquakes were also felt beyond Venezuela's borders. Tremors reached neighbouring Colombia, where residents in Bogotá evacuated buildings after emergency alarms sounded. Colombia's National Seismological Network reported receiving more than 200 reports of shaking across the country, although officials ruled out any tsunami threat. The US National Tsunami Warning Center also confirmed there was no tsunami danger following the earthquakes, while authorities continued monitoring aftershock activity across the affected region.

Emergency services remained deployed across Venezuela as engineers inspected damaged buildings and rescue teams searched affected areas. Officials urged residents to remain outdoors where safe, avoid weakened structures and follow emergency instructions until inspections were completed. The twin earthquakes rank among the strongest to strike Venezuela in recent years, reviving memories of previous devastating seismic events and highlighting the country's continued vulnerability to major earthquakes due to its location in an active seismic zone.

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