Strong earthquakes west of Venezuela’s capital sent shockwaves through the nation on Wednesday afternoon, toppling buildings in Caracas, trapping residents under rubble and prompting urgent warnings from scientists about the potential for widespread destruction and heavy loss of life.
According to the US Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 quake struck roughly 160 km west of the capital, followed less than a minute later by an even stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor. The agency said “high casualties and extensive damage are probable,” estimating an early death‑toll range of 10,000 to 100,000.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced plans to declare a state of emergency, saying Venezuela would seek support from multilateral organisations to bolster rescue and recovery efforts. She offered condolences to families already grieving losses but did not provide national figures for deaths or injuries.
Across Caracas, scenes of chaos unfolded as buildings collapsed, emergency crews rushed into debris‑filled streets and desperate relatives searched for missing loved ones. Nightfall brought even more urgency as rescue workers climbed through shattered structures illuminated only by flashlights and emergency lamps.
Chacao mayor Gustavo Duque confirmed multiple collapses in his municipality alone, saying 18 survivors had been pulled from one building. He urged residents to gather in public plazas for safety, warning that powerful aftershocks were likely.
In the coastal state of Falcon, Governor Victor Clark reported 22 injured and said search teams were still looking for 15 missing adults.
With communications disrupted and rescue operations expanding, officials fear the full scale of the disaster has yet to emerge. For now, Venezuela faces a race against time and the grim possibility that the worst is still to come.
+ There are no comments
Add yours