Caracas: Two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela on a national holiday caused widespread panic and destruction across several regions of the South American nation. The earthquakes, measuring 7.1 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, damaged numerous buildings, disrupted normal life, and prompted authorities to launch emergency rescue and relief operations. Several countries have offered assistance, while tsunami alerts have been issued for coastal areas.

Two Major Quakes Strike Within a Minute

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured 7.1 in magnitude. Its epicenter was located west of the coastal city of Morón on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, approximately 168 kilometers from the capital, Caracas. The quake struck at a depth of 13 kilometers.

Just one minute later, a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the region. The second quake’s epicenter was located about 16 kilometers southwest of Morón at a depth of 10 kilometers. Due to their relatively shallow depth, the tremors were felt across a wide area.

Holiday Turns Into a Day of Fear

The earthquakes occurred on a public holiday in Venezuela, commemorating the country’s independence from Spain in 1821. With most people at home for the holiday, scenes of panic and confusion unfolded in many neighborhoods.

Astrid Ramírez, a 41-year-old publicist living in western Caracas, described the frightening moments.

“As soon as it started, we heard people screaming. Everyone was running down the stairs,” she said.

Coro Martínez, a 56-year-old resident of eastern Caracas, said the shaking was unlike anything she had experienced before.

“There was a very loud noise. Objects started falling inside the house, even containers stored in the refrigerator fell. I had never experienced anything like this before,” she recalled.

Hospitals Put on Emergency Alert

Medical facilities across the capital have been placed on high alert. At Hospital de Clínicas in Caracas, staff members were called in for additional shifts to assist with the treatment of injured residents.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s largest international airport in Maiquetía, located north of Caracas, was temporarily closed amid concerns over possible structural damage. Authorities are conducting inspections of runways and airport facilities before resuming operations.

No Immediate Impact on Oil Infrastructure

Despite the scale of the earthquakes, initial reports suggest that Venezuela’s vital oil infrastructure has not suffered significant damage. Most of the areas reporting severe destruction are not home to major oil facilities.

Civil protection officials in Maracaibo, near the Lake Maracaibo oil region, stated that no major injuries or damage had been reported in the area.

Interior Minister Urges Public to Remain Vigilant

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the earthquakes were felt across multiple states. He confirmed that several homes and buildings in the Altamira district of Caracas had been damaged, with some structures reportedly collapsing.

Cabello urged citizens to give priority to ambulances and emergency vehicles and to pay special attention to children and elderly residents. He said rescue and relief operations were being conducted under established disaster-management protocols.

Tsunami Threat Prompts Regional Alerts

Following the earthquakes, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for the Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued warnings for coastal areas.

However, a tsunami alert initially issued for Puerto Rico was later withdrawn. Experts said monitoring of sea conditions and seismic activity remains ongoing as authorities assess any potential risks.

Rescue teams continue to work in affected regions, helping residents reach safe locations and assessing the full extent of the damage. The government has urged citizens to remain calm, avoid spreading rumors, and rely only on official sources for information.