A 7.2 magnitude earthquake caused a terrifying interruption during a baseball game in Caracas, Venezuela, as players and spectators evacuated the field. The tremor struck in the middle of an at-bat, with players initially not seeming to notice the ground shaking.
Video footage from the LMBP TV broadcast shows the cameras visibly shaking. The batter called time, and he, the umpire, and catcher quickly looked around to understand what was happening. A subsequent view from above home plate revealed the entire field and surrounding areas trembling, with dozens of players and apparent fans rushing to the center of the field.
Light poles, power lines, and stadium speakers were seen shaking amidst the unfolding chaos. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the initial 7.2 magnitude quake was followed just 39 seconds later by an even stronger 7.5 magnitude temblor approximately 100 miles west of Caracas. The USGS had warned that such an event could potentially lead to a death toll ranging from 10,000 to 100,000.