Caracas, June 25: Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes within less than a minute on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction, collapsing buildings, and triggering fears of a major humanitarian disaster. The first quake measured 7.2 on the Richter scale and was followed 39 seconds later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The epicentres were located west of the capital, Caracas, but the tremors were felt across much of the country. Buildings collapsed in several districts of Caracas, trapping residents under rubble and forcing thousands to flee into the streets. Rescue teams are continuing search-and-recovery operations amid concerns about aftershocks.
The USGS issued a “Red Alert” and warned that the disaster could result in “high casualties and extensive damage.” Its PAGER assessment estimated a significant probability that fatalities could range between 10,000 and 100,000 people, although official casualty figures remain far lower at this stage.
Venezuela’s interim government has declared a state of emergency and appealed for international assistance. The country’s main international airport in Caracas has been temporarily closed, while schools and public services in affected areas have been suspended.
Tsunami alerts were briefly issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands following the quakes but were later withdrawn after further assessment.
Seismologists say the twin earthquakes are among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and could rank among the country’s worst natural disasters if the higher casualty estimates prove accurate. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert and avoid damaged structures as emergency crews continue rescue efforts.
Source:Reuters
