Jakarta, ThedailyID — A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Venezuela on Thursday, triggering widespread damage, power outages and panic as authorities began assessing the impact.
The strong tremor caused several multi-story buildings to collapse, trapping residents beneath the debris. Authorities also reported major disruptions to electricity and internet services, while severe damage forced officials to close an airport.
Early estimates cited in initial reports suggested the disaster could result in a significant number of casualties. However, officials had not confirmed the final death toll or the full extent of the damage.
Residents rushed into the streets as the ground shook. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said several buildings suffered structural damage, with some roofs collapsing during the earthquake.
“We have several damaged buildings, and we do not want accidents involving gas,” Cabello said. He added that authorities had shut off gas supplies to some buildings as a precaution and urged residents to leave their homes.
Witnesses in Caracas described scenes of panic as the earthquake struck.
“The stairs came loose, the walls cracked, and objects fell from the ceiling. It was terrifying,” said 54-year-old bank employee Odalis Escalona.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake struck at 10:04 p.m. local time. Its epicenter was about 21 kilometers west of the coastal city of Morón.
Thirty-nine seconds later, a stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck about 45 kilometers away at a depth of 10 kilometers.
USGS said the larger quake was the second event in a double-earthquake sequence. It was preceded by a magnitude 7.2 foreshock.
The second earthquake sent shoppers running through a shopping mall in Caracas, according to an AFP journalist at the scene.
“It was incredibly powerful. I don’t even know how long it lasted,” said shop owner Heidi Romero, who was on the upper floor of the mall when the earthquake struck.
Emergency crews continued inspecting damaged buildings and searching affected areas as authorities worked to determine the full scale of the disaster.
