A series of powerful earthquakes struck the Caribbean coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, starting with a 7.1 tremor followed minutes later by a 7.5 magnitude shock. The first quake's epicenter lay west of the coastal town of Morón, approximately 168 kilometers from the capital, and occurred at a depth of 13 kilometers. The second, larger event struck 16 kilometers southwest of Morón at a depth of 10 kilometers, prompting an upgrade of the initial magnitude to 7.5.
The twin shocks triggered significant structural damage across the region, including the collapse of buildings in Caracas. Reports indicate injuries and widespread damage, but the death toll remains uncertain. Authorities issued a tsunami advisory for nearby Puerto Rico in response to the seismic activity.
Local footage captured the impact on essential infrastructure, including Maiquetía International Airport, where the tremors caused noticeable damage to facilities and runway markings. Residents and emergency responders assessed the damage as the city worked to secure safety and restore services.
In the same week, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake rattled Northern Japan, while a separate 5.6 tremor in Mendocino, Northern California, resulted in injuries and was described as the strongest quake in the area in nearly a century.
