CARACAS, VENEZUELA — Venezuela has been plunged into a state of emergency following an unprecedented seismic event. Two major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck just seconds apart near the capital city of Caracas, leaving behind a trail of widespread destruction and trapping an unknown number of residents beneath collapsed structures.
The twin quakes hit an area west of Caracas at exactly 18:04 local time. The timing of the disaster has heightened fears of a massive death toll, as the country was celebrating a national holiday, meaning the vast majority of citizens were inside their homes when the violent tremors began.
Rescue Operations Underway Amidst Widespread Damage
First responders and rescue crews have flooded the streets of the capital, desperately searching the rubble of collapsed multi-story buildings for survivors. The structural damage across the region is severe, effectively paralyzing the city’s infrastructure.
Venezuela’s main international airport sustained serious damage during the tremors and has been closed indefinitely, halting all incoming and outgoing flights. This closure threatens to complicate the arrival of any international aid and specialized rescue teams in the coming days.
“High Casualties” Expected
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez addressed the nation shortly after the tremors subsided, formally declaring a state of emergency. While she offered her condolences to the affected families, official casualty figures have not yet been released.
However, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has issued a grim assessment of the situation. The agency warned that the “disaster is likely widespread,” projecting high casualty rates and extensive economic damage given the magnitude of the quakes and the population density of the affected zones.
Tremors Felt Across Borders
The sheer power of the twin earthquakes sent shockwaves far beyond the epicenter. Reports indicate the violent shaking could be felt throughout the entirety of Venezuela and reached as far away as Bogotá, Colombia, hundreds of miles to the southwest.
Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and avoid damaged structures as the threat of dangerous aftershocks looms over the region. Rescue operations are expected to continue around the clock as the nation grapples with the full scale of this catastrophic event.
