A club-level baseball game in Venezuela was interrupted when a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck west of Caracas. This was followed by a 7.5-magnitude earthquake just 39 seconds later. These tremors sparked widespread panic and caused significant damage across the city.
The baseball game was promptly halted as players sprinted from the dugout to the outfield. Fans and sportscasters also abandoned their seats and hurried to the same area.
Watch the video here:
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquakes occurred at shallow depths, triggering strong tremors across north-central Venezuela and neighboring Colombia.
“High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread,” the USGS was quoted as saying by the BBC.
According to the USGS, there is a 44% chance of more than 10,000 deaths and a 30% chance of more than 100,000.
In addition to Venezuela, Which Countries Were Affected by the Earthquake?
In addition to Venezuela, strong tremors were felt in neighboring Colombia. A 5.6-magnitude quake struck Northern California, and Japan experienced a 6.9-magnitude quake.
Videos from these countries show shelves of food and beverages knocked over in convenience stores. The earthquake struck as many Venezuelans were at home celebrating a public holiday marking the 1821 military victory that led to independence from Spain.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued a warning for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, noting that waves could also affect islands near Venezuela, including Aruba, Curaçao, and Bonaire.
Similar tsunami alerts have been issued in Japan, but authorities have not yet provided a complete report on casualties or total damage from Caracas.
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