Buildings collapsed after successive earthquakes in Venezuela

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said she would soon address the nation.

Rodriguez said in a post on X that she would report on the situation after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that hit the country on Wednesday.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake is one of the strongest seismic events globally so far this year.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello described the situation in the country after the earthquake as “extremely worrying”. He said some buildings had collapsed and residents were urged to take shelter.

Cabello urged people to stay outside, warning that aftershocks were likely and could cause additional structural damage to already weakened buildings. Authorities also ordered the gas supply to be shut off as a precaution to prevent explosions.

“We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are working according to protocol to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most,” Cabello said on state television. “Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one is hurt.”

He also suggested that people be injured in the earthquake and asked motorists to give way to ambulances and other emergency vehicles.

Buildings collapsed due to strong earthquakes in Caracas.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said, “High casualties and widespread damage are likely, and the disaster is likely to be widespread.”

The USGS said, based on data from the types of structures common in the area, there is a 44% chance the death toll will exceed 10,000.

Venezuelan officials did not immediately provide estimates of deaths or injuries.

On state television, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello announced that some buildings in Caracas had collapsed and houses had collapsed.

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, shaking buildings and homes in the capital Caracas.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake’s epicenter was located about 17 miles (28 kilometers) west of the community of Moron, located on the country’s Caribbean coast, about 104 miles south of Caracas.

The depth of the earthquake was 13 kilometers.

Just 39 seconds after the first earthquake, a second, even larger, 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the same area. The second earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.

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