At least 32 people lost their lives and over 700 were injured in Venezuela following two powerful earthquakes, as stated by the country’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez. The coastal state of La Guaira in northern Venezuela bore the brunt of the devastation, with numerous buildings completely collapsing.
Rodriguez described La Guaira state as a “disaster zone” during a broadcast on Venezuelan state television. The initial count of 32 fatalities and 700 injuries did not encompass La Guaira state due to ongoing connectivity issues affecting the region. The US Geological Survey reported a magnitude 7.1 quake on Wednesday evening at 2204 GMT, followed a minute later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor near the coastal town of Moron, approximately 160 km west of Caracas.
The earthquakes, both shallow with a depth of 10 km, could potentially exacerbate their destructive impact. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a State of Emergency in Venezuela post the seismic events, emphasizing the need for citizens to stay vigilant, safe, and composed. She also disclosed the closure of Maiquetia airport due to earthquake-related damage and the deployment of security forces, medical services, and civil protection teams for rescue and relief efforts nationwide.
Venezuela’s Interior, Justice, and Peace Minister Diosdado Cabello noted significant damage in various cities across the country caused by the earthquakes. Cabello highlighted building collapses in the eastern Caracas metropolitan area without immediate details on casualties. He advised the populace to avoid remaining indoors due to the risk of aftershocks that could trigger further structural failures, urging unity and calmness during the post-quake period.
Reports from Colombian media indicated that the earthquake was strongly felt in multiple cities in neighboring Colombia. The US Geological Survey warned of the likelihood of substantial casualties and extensive destruction resulting from the two seismic events.
