Multiple powerful earthquakes have struck northwest Venezuela, causing tremors in Caracas and neighboring Colombia. At least ten quakes, including two over magnitude 6.3, were reported with reports of cracked buildings and damaged infrastructure. No casualties have been reported so far, but damage has been noted, and authorities have mobilized resources to respond to the situation.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (Funvisis) said several tremors exceeded magnitude 5.8, including two that came in over 6. The epicenter was near Mene Grande in the oil-rich state of Zulia, about 600 kilometers (370 miles) west of Caracas. The strongest, at magnitude 6.3, struck at 5:21 pm local time.
At least 21 aftershocks have been recorded in the past seven hours. Local seismologists are monitoring ongoing activity in the region. No casualties have been reported, but videos and photos shared online showed cracked walls in high-rises and damaged roads. The tremors were felt most strongly in the country’s western states, in particular the city of Maracaibo, where residents evacuated buildings as cracks appeared. Zulia Governor Luis Caldera said there was damage to some hospitals and to the iconic Santa Barbara Church, with footage posted online showing that a cross had fallen from one of its domes.
Valera also reported that structural cracks had been reported and that tremors had been felt in the Andean cities of San Cristobal and Merida. The earthquake was also felt in Caracas, where buildings shook and many residents left their apartments, local media reported. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said Civil Protection and military forces had deployed nationwide to assist with evacuations and damage. The National Unit for Disaster Risk Management said there was no tsunami threat. Venezuela sits on several fault lines between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. About 80% of its population lives in seismic zones. The country has been hit by five major earthquakes in the past century, including a magnitude 7.2 off the northern coast in 2018. The last deadly quake in Venezuela occurred in the town of Cariaco in 1997, killing 73 people.