Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing significant damage in Caracas and the surrounding areas. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake registered a magnitude of 7.1 with its epicenter located about 104 miles west of Caracas near the coastal community of Morón. The tremor had a depth of approximately 8 miles. Barely a minute later, a stronger tremor with a magnitude of 7.5 occurred at a shallow depth of around 6 to 10 miles, centered roughly 10 miles southwest of Morón. These were among the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in over a century.

The quakes led to the collapse of buildings in Caracas, with whole walls falling and furniture spilling onto the streets, particularly in neighborhoods such as Altamira, where Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described “alarming situations.” Residents evacuated swaying structures and remained outdoors amid visible dust clouds. Cabello reported that the tremors were felt across several states and urged the public to be cautious, especially with children and the elderly, advising people to check on neighbors and yield to emergency vehicles. Authorities activated rescue and aid protocols to assist those affected by the disaster.

Eyewitness accounts described intense shaking, with Caracas resident Roberto Damas saying the building “shook from side to side” and tossed occupants around. Footage circulated on social media depicting panicked crowds, collapsing ceiling panels, and scenes of chaos at Maiquetia International Airport, where sparks flew amid the shaking. The earthquakes struck amid Venezuelans' observance of Battle of Carabobo Day, a national holiday commemorating the country’s independence.

The magnitude and timing of the quakes prompted concerns about casualties, although official numbers have not been released. Initial estimates from the USGS suggested a potential death toll ranging widely between 10,000 to 100,000, reflecting the quake's severity and historical precedent. The last major seismic event in Venezuela of comparable scale occurred in 1812, when an earthquake destroyed much of Merida and Caracas, killing an estimated 30,000 people.

In related seismic activity, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred off Japan’s northeastern coast on Thursday morning near Iwate Prefecture. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported the quake had a depth of approximately 30 miles but confirmed no tsunami threat was expected. Meanwhile, the U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a tsunami alert for the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, as well as the Dominican Republic, following the Venezuelan earthquakes, though the warnings for Puerto Rico and other areas were lifted within an hour.

The events highlight the seismic vulnerability of regions located near tectonic plate boundaries, including Venezuela, which lies near the meeting point of the Caribbean and South American Plates. Authorities in both Venezuela and neighboring countries continue monitoring aftershocks and coordinating emergency responses as rescue operations proceed.