Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck within minutes, causing building collapses and confirmed fatalities. Rescue operations are underway as the USGS warns the eventual death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000.
Twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck western Venezuela within a minute, prompting emergency response efforts and raising fears of widespread casualties and damage. | Reuters via ANI
Venezuela declared a state of emergency after the country was struck by two powerful earthquakes within a minute on Wednesday evening (local time), with authorities confirming fatalities and launching rescue operations as emergency teams searched for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
The twin earthquakes triggered reports of collapsed buildings in Caracas, prompting a nationwide emergency response. While officials confirmed that lives had been lost, they have not released an official death toll. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned the disaster could ultimately claim between 10,000 and 100,000 lives.
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According to the USGS, the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck near San Felipe, around 284 kilometres west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT.
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Almost immediately afterwards, a stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit near Yumare, about 293 kilometres west of the Venezuelan capital.
The agency said the earthquakes were likely to cause “high casualties and extensive damage” and estimated that the eventual death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
According to CNN, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency during a televised address on Wednesday.
Rodriguez confirmed that the earthquakes had claimed lives and expressed condolences to families who had “sadly suffered the loss of a family member.” She did not specify the number of deaths.
CNN reported that emergency response teams had been deployed across affected areas to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings and damaged structures.
India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS) recorded the earthquake at magnitude 6.8.
According to the NCS, the earthquake occurred at a depth of 15 kilometres, indicating a shallow-focus event that can cause stronger ground shaking.
The United States Embassy in Caracas said it was closely monitoring developments and issued a safety advisory for American citizens in Venezuela.
It urged people to avoid damaged areas, stay out of affected buildings, monitor local media for official updates and seek secure shelter.
US Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar said her prayers were with the Venezuelan people and the families affected by the disaster.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele also expressed solidarity, saying, “Our hearts are with the people of Venezuela during these difficult times. We send them all our solidarity and our prayers. Strength Venezuela.”
Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate Maria Corina Machado also prayed for the safety of Venezuelans, saying, “My heart, my infinite embrace, and my prayers are with every Venezuelan home in these hours of anguish.”
Search, rescue and damage assessment operations were continuing late Wednesday as authorities worked to determine the full extent of the destruction caused by the twin earthquakes.
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