Residents of Caracas fled to the streets following two major earthquakes that rattled the Venezuelan capital. Journalist Nicole Kolster, who was in her seventh-floor home during the event, described the shaking as the most intense she has ever experienced. She sought refuge against a stone wall, fearing her building would collapse.
Two tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit the city in rapid succession on a national holiday. While the full scope of the destruction remains uncertain, initial reports indicate collapsed structures and widespread panic. Many residents were forced to evacuate, leaving them stranded outside for hours in anticipation of aftershocks.
In the Palos Grandes neighborhood, witnesses reported significant damage, including broken utility poles and power outages. Other citizens, such as 80-year-old Maria Romero, noted that this event felt more severe than the historic 1967 earthquake that devastated parts of the city. Rescue efforts are underway, with citizens reporting trapped individuals and cries for help coming from debris as the city assesses the wreckage.
