Several explosions were reported in the early hours of Saturday in Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, triggering power outages in parts of the city and raising concerns over security in the country.
According to CNN, the first explosion occurred at about 1:50 a.m. local time. A correspondent for the network, Osmary Hernandez, said at least one of the blasts was powerful enough to shake her windows. Following the explosions, electricity was cut in several neighbourhoods, while aircraft were heard flying overhead.
The cause of the explosions was not immediately known as of Saturday morning, and Venezuelan authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Footage obtained and verified by CNN showed two plumes of smoke rising into the night sky over the city, with flickering lights visible below. An orange glow appeared at the base of one plume before a bright flash and a dull booming sound were heard in the background.
Local media outlets, including Efecto Cocuyo and Tal Cual Digital, also reported hearing explosions outside Caracas. According to the reports, similar sounds were heard in La Guaira state, north of the capital along the coast, as well as in Higuerote, a coastal city in Miranda state.