The Venezuelan capital Caracas was shaken by two very powerful earthquakes, where the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude tremors occurred within a few seconds, causing widespread destruction.
According to the World News Agency, Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodriguez has said that the death toll in the earthquake has increased to 589, while 2,980 people have been injured.
It should be remembered that several residential and commercial buildings collapsed due to the two most powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela within a minute on Wednesday, with hundreds of people still reported to be trapped under the rubble.
Emergency relief work is underway after the earthquake, where volunteers are trying to rescue people trapped under the rubble, and so far 188 bodies have been pulled out, while dozens of injured are in critical condition.
The earthquake sent citizens out of their homes in fear and onto the streets. The earthquakes struck west of Caracas at 6:04 p.m. local time, but their tremors were felt throughout Venezuela and even as far away as Bogota, the capital of neighboring Colombia.
Venezuela’s Interior Minister has issued instructions to citizens to cautiously leave their homes and alerted emergency services. Rescue teams are busy with rescue operations in the affected areas, while in many places people are feared to be buried under rubble.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), there is a risk of massive loss of life and property due to the earthquakes. The agency has estimated that the death toll is 44 percent, which is why the situation is being described as extremely worrying.
Venezuela’s main international airport closed due to severe damage
Venezuela’s main international airport, Maiquetia Airport, has been closed due to severe damage caused by the earthquake, government official Rodriguez said.
Videos released immediately after the earthquake showed passengers and staff fleeing the airport’s corridors in panic, while large clouds of dust were seen falling from the roofs during the tremors.
Authorities said the damage to the airport was being assessed and flights would be suspended until further inspections were completed.
The earthquakes came as Venezuela was celebrating a national holiday and a large number of people were in their homes, raising fears of a further loss of life. Authorities have declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, while hospitals, rescue agencies and security forces are fully mobilized.
According to initial reports, electricity and communication systems have also been affected in many areas, while it may take time for the full picture of the devastation to emerge.
US Deputy Secretary of State assures of all possible cooperation
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has said that the United States stands with the people of Venezuela in this difficult time and is in constant contact with relevant authorities for relief activities.
In his statement on the social networking website X, Christopher Landau said that the United States expresses solidarity with the people of Venezuela after the devastating earthquakes that struck this evening. We are in contact with local authorities and relief assistance is being mobilized. According to US officials, contacts are ongoing between various agencies to provide relief operations and humanitarian assistance and meet the needs of the victims, while the situation is being continuously assessed.