Shocking footage emerged this morning of passengers fleeing the terminal at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas as a magnitude 5.2 earthquake struck the Venezuelan capital. The tremor, which hit at 9:47am local time, sent ceilings crashing down and sparked panic among travellers.
The UK Foreign Office has now issued a travel alert for the region, warning British nationals to follow local advice. For Venezuelan workers, already battered by hyperinflation and a collapsing economy, this natural disaster is another blow to daily survival. Meanwhile, the incident raises questions about the safety of infrastructure in countries where austerity has eaten away at maintenance budgets.
The airport, a lifeline for those fleeing the country, is now closed for inspection. No casualties have been reported but the scene was chaotic. This is a developing story.
