A powerful 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck northwest Venezuela on Wednesday evening, sending tremors across the region and sparking panic in several cities including Caracas and Maracaibo. The quake, which occurred at approximately 6:21 p.m. local time, was centered near Mene Grande in Zulia state, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).
The earthquake was classified as a shallow-depth event, with the epicenter located just 24 kilometers southeast of Maracaibo at a depth of 7.8 kilometers. Strong shaking was reported across western and northern Venezuela, and tremors were also felt in neighboring Colombia and Caribbean islands such as Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed on state television that there were no immediate reports of significant structural damage. However, the USGS estimated that the quake could potentially result in 10 to 100 casualties and affect approximately 230,000 people in the immediate vicinity.
Venezuela’s national seismological agency, Funvisis, recorded the quake at a slightly lower magnitude of 5.4. Despite the discrepancy, both agencies agreed on the shallow nature of the tremor, which contributed to the widespread sensation of shaking.
This event marks one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in recent years. The country, though largely located in seismic zones, has not experienced a major quake since 1997, when a tremor in Sucre state claimed 73 lives. The last catastrophic quake occurred in 1976, killing nearly 300 people in Caracas.
Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and monitor for aftershocks. Emergency services have been deployed to ensure public safety and inspect infrastructure in affected areas