Venezuela Declares Emergency After Powerful Earthquakes, Airport Damaged
Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, declared a state of emergency on Wednesday night after two powerful earthquakes struck near the capital Caracas, causing building collapses and widespread panic. The Simon Bolivar International Airport, the country's main international gateway, has been closed due to serious damage, including a collapsed roof section.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck at a depth of 21.9 kilometres, followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 quake at a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre of the first quake was west of the community of Moron, about 168 kilometres west of Caracas. The USGS classified the events as a foreshock and mainshock, with over 20 aftershocks recorded.
Rodriguez urged the population to remain calm and called on healthcare professionals to report to hospitals. Schools have been suspended for several days. The government has not provided official casualty figures, but the USGS estimates that the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000, though these are preliminary projections.
In the state of Falcon, Governor Victor Clark reported 32 people hospitalised and 15 still trapped more than four hours after the quake. In Caracas, Gustavo Duque, mayor of the Chacao municipality, said several buildings collapsed and 18 survivors were rescued from one building alone. He advised citizens to gather in public plazas due to the risk of aftershocks.
The United States offered assistance, with Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stating on social media: “We stand with the Venezuelan people… We're in touch with the authorities and mobilising assistance.”
Eyewitnesses described intense shaking. Shopkeeper Heidi Romero, 42, told AFP she was on the top floor of a shopping centre and escaped via emergency stairs. Caracas resident Roberto Gamas told AP the building shook violently, tossing people around. Maria Romero, 80, said it was worse than the 1967 earthquake. A 41-year-old resident received a phone alert seconds before the shaking intensified.
The earthquakes struck a nation already facing political and economic challenges. Authorities continue search and rescue operations.
