A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.2 struck Venezuela. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was recorded approximately 160 km west of Caracas. A minute later, a second earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurred. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Exact data on the scale of destruction is not yet available. According to preliminary USGS estimates, this is likely to become a "large-scale catastrophe," and the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.
Venezuela's Interior Ministry reported that some buildings collapsed in Caracas. As Reuters notes, many local residents were at home due to a national holiday. According to the ministry, the earthquake affected at least seven states of the country.
The earthquake was also felt on neighboring islands — Aruba, Curaçao, and Guyana. Authorities declared a tsunami threat for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Rescuers continue to clear debris and inspect affected areas.
This event has become a severe test for Venezuela. Assessment of infrastructure damage is still underway. International organizations have expressed readiness to provide assistance. USGS specialists noted that the earthquake depth was about 10 km, which influenced the scale of destruction. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro declared a state of emergency. Military forces have been mobilized for rescue operations. The UN has offered humanitarian aid. Neighboring countries, including Colombia and Brazil, have expressed support. Several aftershocks were recorded after the earthquake, but they were weak. Hospitals in Venezuela are preparing to receive the injured. Power lines and communication systems have been damaged, with some areas experiencing outages. Rescuers continue working through the night. Local authorities are organizing evacuation of residents to safe places. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also stated its readiness to provide assistance. The Venezuelan government intends to accept foreign aid. This earthquake is the largest natural disaster in the country in recent years. According to experts, such strong earthquakes are rare in this region. Venezuela is located in a tectonically active zone at the junction of the Caribbean and South American plates. Earthquakes occur frequently in this area, but such powerful events are rare. Rescue operations are currently ongoing. Additional information will be published later.