Venezuela hit by two strong earthquakes with magnitude of 7.5 and 7.2

Venezuela Declares State of Emergency After Powerful Earthquakes

A state of emergency has been declared in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes that struck the country on Wednesday, causing widespread damage and killing at least 32 people. The earthquakes, which had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, occurred about 6:04pm local time as the country was celebrating a national holiday.

Emergency crews are currently conducting a search and rescue operation in affected areas, with authorities urging citizens to remain calm and safe. The government has closed the main airport in Caracas, suspended classes for several days, and mobilized health workers to respond to the disaster.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable” due to the severity of the quakes. US President Donald Trump has stated that the earthquakes caused a “devastating number of deaths”.

According to reports from Bogota, Colombia, the worst damage was reported in Caracas, particularly in the Altamira district, where emergency crews rescued survivors from the rubble of a 22-storey building. Authorities have not yet released a breakdown of the victims by age, gender, or location.

The earthquakes were followed by nearly two dozen aftershocks and caused widespread destruction across Venezuela, including collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, and panic among residents. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

The USGS has estimated that the death toll could rise significantly due to the vulnerability of many buildings in the affected region. The agency’s latest assessment gives a 39 percent probability that deaths could reach between 1,000 and 10,000 and a 37 percent probability of 10,000 to 100,000 deaths.

The earthquakes originated in Yaracuy state, west of Caracas, according to the USGS. Tremors were also reported in neighboring Colombia and as far away as Brazil’s Amazon region. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing across the worst-hit areas as authorities continue to assess the damage.

Source: Al Jazeera