Two strong earthquakes hit Venezuela on Wednesday night (24), leaving at least 32 dead and 700 injured after buildings collapsed in and around Caracas, said interim president Delcy Rodríguez.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred about 100 miles west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The USGS, based on predictive models to estimate the number of victims, stated that the number was in the thousands, with a significant probability of exceeding 10,000.
Rodríguez said that the initial figures do not include victims in the state of La Guaira, close to Caracas and where the capital’s main airport is located, considered the most affected area.
“Dozens of buildings collapsed and we are trying to save as many lives as possible,” he said in a statement on state television shortly before 1am this Thursday (25).
“I also want to say that this is a true tragedy. We send our sympathy and, to the families who have lost loved ones, we reaffirm our condolences and our support at this difficult time,” he added.
According to the interim president, the country is focusing its efforts on search and rescue operations, including the arrival of international teams in the coming hours. She also thanked foreign leaders, including United States President Donald Trump.
Trump stated in a post on social media that they are capable of helping” in the face of the disaster.
Three people died in the Baruta district of Caracas after two buildings collapsed, the local mayor said. In the district of Chacao, one person died and four buildings completely collapsed, according to mayor Gustavo Duque.
“We have buildings, residences and houses that have collapsed and we are working with all available security and civil assistance resources,” declared the Minister of the Interior, Diosdado Cabello.
Footage showed emergency teams sifting through the rubble of a collapsed building in the capital, while family members searched for information about people who might be trapped under the rubble.
Residents reported moments of panic during the tremors. “When we went down, the scene looked like something out of a horror movie,” said Maria Alejandra, a resident of a neighboring building.
Tsunami warning canceled
A tsunami warning was issued, but was quickly canceled after the risk was ruled out.
Many Venezuelans were at home at the time of the earthquakes, as the country was on a national holiday.
“I heard a very loud bang. Objects fell inside the house. I’ve never experienced anything like that,” said Coro Martínez, a resident of eastern Caracas.
The Venezuelan capital was also hit by a deadly 6.3 magnitude earthquake in 1967.
Airport closed and classes suspended
The country’s main airport, in Maiquetía, north of Caracas, was closed due to damage caused by the tremors, Rodríguez said.
Classes were suspended until the end of the week so that authorities can assess the extent of the damage.
Hospitals in the capital reinforced teams to treat the injured. At the Hospital de Clínicas de Caracas, employees were called in to increase night shifts.
Oil infrastructure did not suffer immediate damage
Venezuela’s oil infrastructure did not show immediate damage. Civil protection authorities in Maracaibo, near Lake Maracaibo, reported that there were no reports of injuries.
Officials at the El Palito refinery, close to the quake’s epicenter, also said the unit suffered no damage.
British oil company Shell reported that all its employees in the country have been located and there are no reports of injuries.
Venezuela is located in a zone of intense seismic activity, where the Caribbean Plate meets the South American Plate. In 1812, a strong earthquake killed about 30,000 people in the cities of Mérida and Caracas, according to the USGS.
