CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) 鈥� Back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck off the coast of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage, collapsing buildings and sending panicked residents into the streets.
The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities and areas spread as far as Brazil鈥檚 Amazon about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) away.
In a brief address to the nation late Wednesday, acting President Delcy Rodr铆guez said the earthquakes caused damages in several states, but she did not give any figures of homes and buildings damaged, injures or fatalities.
The earthquakes damaged the country鈥檚 main airport, Sim贸n Bol铆var International Airport, severely enough to lead to its closure, she said, adding that classes are being canceled for several days.
鈥淲e urge our population to remain calm,鈥� Rodr铆guez said. 鈥淲e urge unity.鈥�
Rodr铆guez also asked all health care professionals in the country to report to hospitals to assist anyone who was injured.
In the state of Falcon, Gov. Victor Clark said 32 people had been hospitalized and more than four hours after the earthquake there were still 15 people trapped.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, later revising that to 7.2, and its epicenter was west of the community of Mor贸n, located along the country鈥檚 Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 22 kilometers.
The USGS reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers and its epicenter was 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Mor贸n.
The quakes, among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, struck shortly after 6 p.m. People evacuated swaying buildings in the capital Caracas, many visibly shocked as they saw entire walls that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street. Dust columns could also be seen in two neighborhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.
鈥榃e all had to leave our houses’
People remained on the streets for hours, even after sunset. Some sat on the ground hugging their pets as dust gathered around them. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles and debris blocked streets. Parts of the capital lost power and cellphone signal.
鈥淚t started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,鈥� Caracas resident Hector Ricci said.
The lack of cellphone signal in parts of Venezuela deepened the distress of many families, particularly those among the more than 7.7 million people who have left the country during its protracted crisis.
鈥淢ay strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time,鈥� opposition leader Maria Corina Machado said from exile on X.
Impact felt throughout Venezuela
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the quake could be felt in several states. The Altamira neighborhood in Caracas had 鈥渁larming situations鈥� with collapsed homes and buildings, he said, suggesting people were injured in the earthquake and asking motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.
鈥淲e understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most,鈥� Cabello said on state television. 鈥淏e very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed.鈥�
He also urged people to remain outside as aftershocks could further damage some structures.
鈥淭he building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,鈥� Caracas resident Roberto Gamas said. 鈥淲e were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out.鈥�
Expressions of support posted on social media
Reaction pouring in swiftly on social media.
Venezuela opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, in exile after leaving Venezuela in December, took to to X to send prayers and wish strength to Venezuelans.
鈥淢ay strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult time,鈥� she wrote on X.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele expressed solidarity with Venezuela following the earthquakes, saying his country鈥檚 鈥渉eart is with the people of Venezuela during these difficult times.鈥�
鈥淲e send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela,鈥� Bukele wrote.
Republican Rep. Mar铆a Elvira Salazar of Florida said her 鈥渢houghts and prayers鈥� were with Venezuela and expressed support for families affected, those still waiting for answers and first responders.
鈥淭he strength of the Venezuelan people has been tested time and again,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淚 have no doubt they will face this moment with the same resilience, courage, and hope that have carried them through every challenge.鈥�
Earthquake impacts the region
Buildings in Manaus, Belem and Macap谩 in Brazil’s Amazon were evacuated, according to reports on TV Globo.
The quakes also were felt in Colombia鈥檚 Caribbean and northeast regions, but there were no reports of damages or injuries. The Colombian Maritime Authority in a statement said the country鈥檚 Caribbean coast is at no risk of tsunami.
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami alert for Virgin Islands. Authorities in the Dominican Republic also issued one for the island. Another alert for Puerto Rico was quickly lifted.
Strong earthquakes are unusual in Venezuela.
While the country sits near multiple fault lines, its position straddling the South American and Caribbean plates make earthquakes much less common than in other parts of Latin America. Along the Pacific coast 鈥� in Mexico and Chile, for example 鈥� earthquakes are frequent. The two countries sit along the seismically active tectonic belt known as the 鈥淧acific Ring of Fire,鈥� which is responsible for 90% of earthquakes, according to the USGS.
The quakes also were felt in Colombia鈥檚 Caribbean and northeast regions, but there were no reports of damages or injuries. The Colombian Maritime Authority said in a statement that the country鈥檚 Caribbean coast is at no risk of tsunami.
In Brazil鈥檚 Amazon, buildings in the cities of Manaus, Belem and Macap谩 also were evacuated.
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Garcia Cano reported from Bogota, Colombia. Associated Press writers Clara Preve in Buenos Aires, Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia, Mauricio Savarese in Sao Paulo and Anna-Catherine Brigada in Mexico City contributed to this report.
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