Venezuela Earthquake News: The Venezuelan capital, Caracas, was hit by two powerful earthquakes that struck the same area on Wednesday evening, causing buildings to collapse, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It is estimating the death toll could likely range from 10,000 to 1,00,000. Among the hardest-hit infrastructure was Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, the nation's primary international gateway, where dramatic footage captured the chaotic moments of the tremor.
Venezuelan Airport shut
Videos circulating on social media and reviewed by aviation analysts paint a terrifying picture of the situation inside the terminal during the quake.
Terminal ceiling collapse triggeres mass evacuation
The intense shaking caused a section of the landside passenger terminal's roof and ceiling to collapse, sending panels and debris raining down onto the floor. Overhead signboards swung violently before the lights flickered and went out completely, plunging terrified travelers into darkness as dust filled the halls. Passengers were filmed screaming, dodging falling fixtures, and scrambling to evacuate the heavily damaged seating and transit zones.
'The scene was like a horror movie'
"I was here when I managed to get dressed," earthquake survivor Maria Alejandra told news agency Reuters. "We managed to open the door however we could. There was a cloud of smoke that wouldn't let us see. And when we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie. We had to climb over the rubble and everything." "The building superintendent with the baby and all the neighbors coming down. But from that building, I only saw that one family got out."
(With inputs from agencies)
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