The seismic emergency that shook northern Venezuela yesterday has left scenes of authentic chaos at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, where a plane with passengers on board was surprised by the exact moment in which the earth began to shake with extreme violence.
According to testimonies collected by different media and images broadcast from inside the terminal, the passengers who had just landed were still on the aircraft when the double earthquake of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 occurred, generating a situation of generalized panic both inside the plane and on the airport runway.
Screams, darkness and shaking inside the aircraft
The plane, which was in the disembarkation phase, began to vibrate suddenly while the airport terminal suffered power outages, falling panels and structural damage.
Within seconds, the crew tried to remain calm while the visibly terrified passengers clung to their seats. The shaking of the fuselage coincided with the partial collapse of areas of the airport, which increased the feeling of vulnerability on board.
Later images show travelers rushing down the runway, many of them with hardly any luggage and in a state of shock.
A collapsed airport and suspended flights
The Maiquetía airport has been one of the points most affected by the earthquake. The structural impact forced the total suspension of air operations, with massive cancellations of international flights and indefinite closure of the facility.
The earthquake has caused a serious humanitarian crisis in the country, with, so far, 235 dead, thousands injured and numerous people missing, especially in the coastal regions near the epicenter.
The international community has begun to mobilize emergency aid, with rescue teams deploying to the most affected areas and logistical support for the search for survivors.
Developing situation
Venezuelan authorities continue to work on assessing damage, while the Caracas airport remains out of service and under structural review. The priority at this time is the search for survivors and assistance to those affected.
