Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after powerful twin earthquakes shook the country. At least 20 aftershocks also hit the country in the next hours of the quake. The country’s interim president Delcy Rodriguez announced that earthquake killed at least 32 people and injured more than 700, with La Guaira being the “hardest-hit region.”
These two quakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, with the initial estimates from United States Geological Survey (USGS) suggesting that there could be “high casualties and extensive damage.” The classes in schools and colleges have been cancelled for several days.
In a brief address to the nation late on Wednesday, Rodríguez said the earthquakes caused damages in several states.
The quakes damaged the country’s main airport, Simón Bolívar International, severely enough leading to its closure, she said, adding that school was being cancelled for several days to deal with the crisis at hand.“We urge our population to remain calm,” Rodríguez added. “We urge unity.”
Rodríguez also asked all health care professionals in the country to report to hospitals to assist anyone who was injured. The Ministry of Education said some schools would be used as shelters and donation centres in the heavily affected regions.
The US Geological Survey initially said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, later revising that figure to 7.2.
Its epicentre was west of the community of Morón, located along the country’s Caribbean coast, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 22 kilometres.The agency reported a larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometres and its epicentre was 16 kilometres southwest of Morón.
The quakes, among the strongest to strike the South American nation in more than a century, hit shortly after 6 pm local time. People evacuated swaying buildings in the capital Caracas, many visibly shocked as they saw entire walls that had collapsed, making furniture visible from the street.
Dust columns could also be seen in two neighbourhoods of the capital, where restaurants and other businesses are typically busy.
People remained on the streets for hours, even after sunset. Some sat on the ground hugging their pets as dust gathered around them. Collapsed buildings, toppled electric poles and debris blocked streets. Parts of the capital lost power and cell phone reception.
Responding to the news in a post on his Truth Social account, US President Donald Trump wrote: “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”.
“The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help,” he added.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would “immediately” deploy “search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela”.
