Venezuela hit by strongest earthquakes in a century, dozens dead and oil sector largely spared

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, the largest in more than a century, killing at least dozens of people and injuring hundreds. The first tremor, a magnitude 7.2 foreshock, was followed 40 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 main shock, according to the US Geological Survey. The quakes caused widespread destruction in the capital Caracas, where residents reported collapsed buildings, power outages and crowded streets.

"It felt like nothing that I have ever felt before," said journalist Noris Soto, who was at home when the tremors began.

"The moment I got into the elevator, the elevator started to shake from side to side really strongly and go all the way down on a very quick pace," recounted freelance journalist Tony Frangie Mawad.

Authorities confirmed that four buildings in Caracas had collapsed, with additional damage reported in the states of La Guaira and Falcon. Survivors described cracked walls and the risk of further collapse, prompting many to seek shelter on the streets.

Geophysicist William Yeck of the US Geological Survey warned that the shallow depth of the quakes and the prevalence of unreinforced masonry in Venezuelan construction could lead to high casualty rates.

Despite the devastation, Venezuela’s oil infrastructure appears largely unaffected. Reuters reported that cities with severe damage do not host critical oil facilities, and no injuries were reported near the Lake Maracaibo oil hub. Shell confirmed that all its employees in the country are accounted for and unharmed, while a source said prolonged power outages could temporarily reduce crude output.

The disaster arrives amid ongoing economic hardship and political tension in Venezuela. The interim government announced exceptional measures and deployed officials to the affected areas, while U.S. officials reiterated a willingness to provide assistance, though the extent of any aid remains uncertain.