Greek nationals living in Venezuela are recounting harrowing experiences following two powerful earthquakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale—that struck the country, causing widespread destruction and panic.
‘It Felt Like a Bombing’
Dina Antoniadis, a Greek lawyer and member of the local Greek community in Chacao—a municipality in metropolitan Caracas—spoke to Greece’s public broadcaster ERT about the traumatic hours that followed the quakes. She had to evacuate her 14th-floor apartment in a 24-storey building after it sustained serious structural damage and was deemed unsafe.
“We’ve had three dawnings since then,” she said. “I’m staying elsewhere now because the building where I live has major cracks—we can’t stay inside at night. I left for safety reasons. There were two—or possibly three—very rapid, extremely strong tremors. The first measured 7.2; the second, which lasted longer, registered 7.5. Panic broke out immediately. Apartment buildings collapsed around us.”
For several hours, power was out across the area, cutting off communication. “We had no electricity, no way to contact anyone. Now, gradually, things are stabilising—which is why I’m able to speak with you,” she explained.
Describing the scene inside her building, Antoniadis said: “Everything fell apart—televisions shattered, concrete slabs crashed down, walls cracked open. It felt like a bombing. We were terrified.”
Evacuation Amid Chaos
Although her building did not fully collapse, residents were forced to descend via stairs as water pipes burst and flooded corridors. “We went down to the street, and security personnel and municipal officials instructed us to move away from all buildings,” she recalled.
Even during her live interview with ERTnews, aftershocks continued. “I’m still shaking. Just moments ago, we felt another one. We’re constantly trembling,” she said.
She managed to leave the area roughly five hours after the main quake and is now temporarily staying with Greek relatives. “All members of the Greek community who have been in touch so far are safe,” she confirmed.
Fear Over Rising Toll
Antoniadis warned that the full extent of the devastation remains unclear—and that the death toll could be devastating. “We haven’t yet grasped the scale of the disaster. It happened during the World Cup, so most people were at home or visiting friends. I fear the numbers will be horrific.”
Venezuelan authorities have urged residents not to return to their homes until structural inspections are complete. “They told us not to stay in our houses. Anyone who can stay with relatives or friends should do so until inspections determine which buildings are safe,” she said.
Many residents spent the night in open spaces—including plazas—while rescue teams continue searching collapsed structures for survivors. Antoniadis noted that while buildings in the area are generally robust, the magnitude and intensity of this event were unprecedented.