By Roy Denish.
Rescue teams and desperate residents are searching through collapsed buildings after two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela within seconds of each other, killing around 235 people and injuring thousands.
CARACAS, Venezuela – Around 235 people have been reported dead and at least 4,300 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela in rapid succession, destroying buildings, overwhelming hospitals and leaving thousands of families searching for missing relatives.
The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes struck on Wednesday evening, June 24, within less than a minute of each other.
The first tremor was recorded west of Morón on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, approximately 170 kilometres from the capital, Caracas. It was followed around 39 seconds later by a stronger and shallower earthquake southwest of Morón.
The twin tremors, described by seismologists as an earthquake “doublet,” were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century.
Death Toll Expected to Rise
Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said approximately 235 people had either arrived dead at medical facilities or died after reaching hospitals.
At least 4,300 people have been injured, while thousands remain missing or unaccounted for as emergency crews continue searching damaged neighbourhoods.
Authorities have warned that the number of victims could rise significantly because many people are believed to remain trapped beneath collapsed apartment buildings, homes and commercial structures.
More than 200 people were initially reported trapped, while at least 250 buildings were damaged or destroyed across the affected areas.
Hospitals, government buildings, the Venezuelan Red Cross headquarters and the French Embassy were reportedly among the structures damaged.
La Guaira Declared a Disaster Zone
The coastal state of La Guaira, located north of Caracas, has suffered some of the heaviest destruction.
Entire apartment blocks were reduced to concrete and twisted steel, leaving residents searching through the wreckage for relatives and neighbours.
In several locations, civilians reportedly used their bare hands and basic tools to remove debris while waiting for heavy machinery and official rescue teams to arrive.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez described La Guaira as a disaster zone and appealed to private companies to provide construction equipment for the rescue operation.
Around 70,000 families are believed to have been affected in the state.
Electricity and communication services remained unavailable in several communities, while shortages of water, food, medicine and emergency equipment complicated rescue efforts.
Caracas Airport Closed After Damage
Venezuela’s main international airport, Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, was closed after sustaining damage during the earthquakes.
Videos from inside the terminal showed ceiling panels falling as passengers and airport employees attempted to reach safety.
The closure created additional difficulties for international rescue teams and humanitarian agencies attempting to enter the country.
Parts of Caracas also lost electricity and mobile telephone coverage. Subway services were suspended, natural gas supplies were shut down in some areas and schools were closed.
Several schools and public buildings were converted into emergency shelters and donation centres for families whose homes were destroyed or declared unsafe.
Many residents spent the night in parks, car parks and other open areas because of fears that weakened buildings could collapse during further aftershocks.
More Than 130 Aftershocks Recorded
More than 130 aftershocks were recorded following the two main earthquakes, increasing the danger for survivors and rescue workers entering unstable structures.
The first earthquake had an estimated depth of 22 kilometres, while the stronger second tremor occurred at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres.
Its shallow depth contributed to the severity of the destruction experienced at the surface.
The earthquakes were felt across Venezuela and in neighbouring countries, including Colombia and parts of Brazil.
Although Venezuela lies close to the boundary between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, earthquakes of this magnitude are comparatively rare in the country.
International Aid Mobilised
Governments and humanitarian organisations around the world have begun mobilising rescue personnel, medical supplies, water purification equipment and emergency communications systems.
The United States announced plans to send specialised urban search-and-rescue teams and provide humanitarian assistance through international organisations and non-governmental groups.
Washington also temporarily eased certain sanctions to allow transactions connected to earthquake relief efforts.
Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, Qatar, Canada and several other countries have offered personnel, aircraft, medical resources and technical support.
The United Nations said international teams were being coordinated as part of what officials described as a massive collective rescue and humanitarian effort.
Free satellite internet services were also being provided in affected areas to help restore communication between emergency personnel, survivors and families searching for missing relatives.
Race Against Time Beneath the Rubble
Across La Guaira, Caracas, Morón and surrounding communities, relatives gathered near destroyed buildings as rescue workers searched for signs of life.
Survivors covered in blood and concrete dust were carried from the rubble, while hospitals treated patients outside because of structural damage and overcrowding.
Residents said the lack of machinery forced volunteers to dig by hand in the crucial hours after the disaster.
The Venezuelan government has announced a $200 million reconstruction fund to repair damaged hospitals, homes and essential infrastructure.
However, the immediate priority remains locating those trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
As aftershocks continue and the scale of the destruction becomes clearer, authorities have warned that the full human cost of Venezuela’s twin earthquakes may not be known for several days.
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