Caracas, Venezuela – Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela's capital city, Caracas, on Wednesday, causing widespread panic, collapsing buildings, and prompting residents to evacuate their homes. The first tremor registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed closely by a second at 7.5, making it the strongest quake felt by many residents in the region.
Journalist Nicole Kolster described the terrifying experience from her seventh-story apartment in Caracas. "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," she said. Kolster remained in this position for an extended period, fearing the building would collapse. "It was so strong that I thought the building was going to fall on top of me," she recounted.
Following the initial tremors, neighbors urged residents to evacuate. An hour after the quake, many people remained outside, seeking safety from potential aftershocks. The earthquakes struck on a national holiday commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo, a significant event in Venezuelan history, meaning many people were at home when the tremors began.
Visuals emerging from affected areas show collapsed structures and people gathered in the streets. Rescuers have been seen searching through rubble for victims. The full extent of the damage and the number of casualties are still being assessed. Residents expressed distress, with some unable to rescue pets from their homes and others concerned about their vehicles in building basements. Calls for help were reportedly heard from the debris of a nearby collapsed building.