Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage and at least 164 deaths, according to multiple sources. The first quake had a magnitude of 7.2, followed by a second tremor that further exacerbated the destruction. The death toll is expected to rise, with some sources suggesting fatalities could exceed 10,000 people, based on modeling from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Venezuela's acting president declared a state of emergency in response to the disaster. The twin earthquakes caused buildings to collapse in the capital, Caracas, including the airport roof, according to official reports. At least 700 people were injured, with the number expected to increase. Residents were forced to evacuate their homes and seek shelter outdoors due to the extent of the damage.
The USGS warned that the earthquakes could result in a high number of casualties. Acting President Tareck El Aissami provided updates on the situation, stating that nearly 1,000 people had been injured in the aftermath. The government has mobilized resources to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
Multiple international news outlets reported on the disaster, with varying estimates of the death toll and the scale of the destruction. Some sources indicated that at least 32 people were killed and 700 injured, while others reported a higher death toll of 164 and 971 injured. These discrepancies reflect ongoing assessments and the difficulty of obtaining real-time data in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.
The earthquakes occurred less than 200 kilometers from Caracas, amplifying the impact on the densely populated capital. Images and video footage from the region showed the extent of the damage, including collapsed infrastructure and displaced residents. The situation remains fluid, with rescue operations ongoing and further updates expected as more information becomes available.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy