Two Major Earthquakes Strike Venezuela, Damage Reported in Caracas
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse in the capital, Caracas, according to reports from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The first earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.1, struck west of the coastal town of Morón, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas, at a depth of 13 kilometres. Just a minute later, a second earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit the same region, with its epicentre 16 kilometres southwest of Morón at a depth of 10 kilometres.
The USGS confirmed the back-to-back quakes, which are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century. Authorities have yet to release official casualty figures or damage assessments, but local media reports indicate several structures collapsed in Caracas and other affected areas.
Venezuela lies along the Caribbean tectonic plate boundary, making it prone to seismic activity. The region experienced a similar major earthquake in 1900, which caused widespread devastation. Wednesday's events have prompted emergency response teams to mobilise across affected states.
