A 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook several regions of Venezuela this Wednesday, causing alarm among the population and preliminary reports of injured people and structural damage.
According to data from the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 6:04 pm (local time) and had its epicenter about 28 kilometers northwest of Montalbán, in the state of Carabobo, with an estimated depth of 13.2 kilometers.
The earthquake was felt strongly in Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira and other areas of the center of the country. In Guatire, Miranda state, preliminary reports began to circulate about several injured people, although until now the extent of the injuries has not been specified.
In the Venezuelan capital, users on social networks reported damage to some buildings, falling objects and preventive evacuations in offices and residences, while emergency agencies began inspections to evaluate possible structural risks.
The event would also have been felt outside of Venezuela, with reports from some regions of Colombia and territories in the Dutch Caribbean, including Curacao and Aruba, reflecting the regional scope of the phenomenon.
So far, the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research (Funvisis) has not issued its final report on the earthquake or an official balance of damages or victims. The authorities continue monitoring and it is expected that more details about the effects will be offered in the coming hours.
Evacuations and preliminary damage reported in Caracas
Venezuelan media and users on social networks reported preventive evacuations in residential buildings, offices and shopping centers in Caracas after the earthquake. The Venezuelan portal El Diario reported falling objects and the activation of emergency protocols while authorities begin the first damage assessments.
Several buildings showed visible cracks after the earthquake. Videos broadcast on social networks showed structural damage to some buildings in the capital, although as of press time the authorities had not issued an official report on material damage or victims.
Monitoring
The earthquake was felt in a large part of the Venezuelan territory, including the states of Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, La Guaira, Falcón and the Capital District, according to citizen reports compiled by local media and seismic monitoring platforms. Users also reported that the movement was felt in areas of Margarita, Mérida and other regions far from the epicenter.
While inspections by Civil Protection and other emergency organizations continue, specialists recalled that the preliminary magnitude and location of the epicenter can be reviewed in the next few hours by seismological organizations. Until now, the Venezuelan authorities had not published a consolidated report on injured people or the total extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.
