Venezuela earthquakes kill at least 32, injure more than 700 others
US Geological Survey says casualties could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people. Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 32 people and injuring more
US Geological Survey says casualties could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people. Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 700 others, as buildings collapsed in and around the capital, Caracas, interim President Delcy Rodriguez said. A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck near San Felipe, about 284km (176 miles) west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT on Wednesday, followed almost immediately by a magnitude 7.5 quake near Yumare, about 293km (182 miles) west of the capital, according to the US Geological Survey. The USGS, using predictive modelling to estimate the death toll in the disaster, said it would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000. Addressing the nation early on Thursday, Rodriguez said, “At this time, we have received reports of 32 deaths” and “more than 700 injured,” adding she did not yet have data on the “hardest-hit region” of La Guaira, located near the capital and home to the city’s airport. “Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as God allows us to save,” she said in an appearance on state television. “I also want to say that this is a true tragedy.
From here, we send our message of solidarity, and to those families who have lost loved ones, we reaffirm our condolences and our support in these difficult hours.” The country is focused on rescue efforts, including the arrival in the coming hours of rescue crews from other countries, she said, as she thanked international leaders, including US President Donald Trump. Trump said in a post on social media the US was ready, willing and able to help respond to the disaster. “The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths,” said Trump, who ordered the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a violent raid in January. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on X that Washington “is immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela”. Leaders from other countries including El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Australia and Brazil offered support and sympathy. Informal housing common in Venezuela Many Venezuelans were at home when the earthquakes struck because Wednesday was a public holiday marking a decisive 1821 battle in Venezuela’s war of independence from Spain. Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo, reporting from the Colombian capital Bogota, said that about 80 percent of the population in Venezuela lives in seismic areas.
The BriefWire