A powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale shook Venezuela on Wednesday at 6:04 PM local time. This seismic event resulted in at least two buildings collapsing in the Los Palos Grandes area of Chacao municipality, located in eastern Caracas, as reported by journalist Román Camacho directly from the scene.
Commissioner Luis Gonzalo, the head of Polichacao, confirmed on site that the municipality experienced "two structures completely destroyed and over 90 structures with some level of damage."
In San Bernardino, part of the Libertador municipality, another building collapsed. Meanwhile, in Sucre municipality, a structure lost several floors' walls. Fortunately, Baruta municipality reported no significant structural damage.
By 8:20 PM, rescue teams were still actively searching through the debris in Los Palos Grandes, with reports of people trapped beneath the rubble.
Emergency response personnel, including Polichacao officers, Civil Protection, Caracas Firefighters, Highway Angels Paramedics, and the Bolivarian National Police, were deployed to the affected areas.
As of that moment, authorities had not released official figures on casualties. "We cannot provide numbers at this time," stated Commissioner Gonzalo when asked about victims.
The earthquake also disrupted communications; according to Camacho, the Movistar network was "completely down," hindering coordination efforts and information gathering from other states.
The earthquake's epicenter was near Morón in Carabobo state, around 150 kilometers west of Caracas, at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers. This shallow depth intensified the quake's impact in the capital. The tremor, lasting approximately 51 seconds, was also felt in Colombia, Curacao, and Aruba, and it triggered a tsunami warning for Venezuela and the Caribbean. As a precaution, Caracas airport was evacuated.
Structural damage was also reported in the states of Aragua, Miranda, Anzoátegui, and Bolívar, but specific details were not immediately available.
The Nicolás Maduro administration remained silent for at least an hour and a half following the event, without issuing an official report on damages and casualties, according to Tal Cual Digital.
Venezuela experienced a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in August 2018, with an epicenter in the northern Paria Peninsula, which was strongly felt in Caracas. Los Palos Grandes is historically vulnerable due to its alluvial soil, which amplifies seismic effects, and the most devastating event in this area remains the Cuatricentennial Earthquake of 1967.
Commissioner Gonzalo urged the public to stay calm and remain in open areas: "It's important to be in open spaces in case of aftershocks."
Earthquake Impact and Safety Measures FAQ
What was the magnitude of the recent earthquake in Venezuela?
The recent earthquake in Venezuela had a magnitude of 7.2.
Where was the epicenter of the earthquake?
The epicenter was reported near Morón, Carabobo state, about 150 kilometers west of Caracas.
How did the earthquake affect communications in Venezuela?
The Movistar network was completely down, complicating coordination efforts and information dissemination.
What measures were taken at Caracas airport following the earthquake?
As a precautionary measure, Caracas airport was evacuated after the earthquake.