WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's Crisis Management Team has confirmed that the island faces no tsunami threat following the powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck near the Venezuelan coast on Wednesday afternoon.
Many residents across Curaçao reported feeling the tremor, which was later confirmed by the Curaçao Meteorological Service (Meteo) to have originated near the coast of Venezuela.
Because large earthquakes can generate tsunamis, authorities initially evaluated whether the quake posed any danger to the island. Several countries in the region briefly issued tsunami alerts before later canceling them as more data became available.
According to the Crisis Management Team, Meteo Curaçao immediately issued a preliminary earthquake advisory while specialists analyzed and verified seismic data. After completing its assessment, the Meteorological Service released two follow-up bulletins confirming that there is no tsunami threat to Curaçao.
Members of the Crisis Management Team met with Meteo officials to receive the latest assessment of the situation and any potential risks to the island. Officials stated that while no tsunami danger exists, the Meteorological Service will continue monitoring the area for possible aftershocks.
Justice Minister Shalten Hato, who is responsible for crisis management and disaster response, has been fully briefed on the situation. Authorities said the Crisis Management Team will continue to monitor developments and provide additional updates if necessary.
On behalf of the Government of Curaçao, officials expressed their sympathy and solidarity with everyone affected by the earthquake in Venezuela.
The government is urging the public to rely only on official information published through the Government of Curaçao and the Curaçao Meteorological Service.
Government Issues Advice for Curaçao Residents in Venezuela
The government is also calling on Curaçao residents currently in Venezuela to register with the Kingdom of the Netherlands' Information Service so they can receive updates and assistance if necessary.
Residents are advised to inform family members in Curaçao of their situation and follow instructions issued by local authorities.
In case of an emergency, Curaçao residents can contact the Kingdom's embassy via WhatsApp at +31 85 773 7400. They can also register online through the Netherlands Worldwide Information Service.