North American services recall that similar situations required a “national or international response”
The first indications after two major earthquakes hit Venezuela point to a disaster scenario in the country.
According to the USGS, the United States geological service, earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale should be responsible for several victims and structural damage in a large part of the country.
The note from this service states that, based on previous earthquakes and given the type of structures in the country, a widespread disaster can be expected with several victims and extensive damage.
“In general, the population of this region lives in structures vulnerable to seismic tremors, although there are resistant constructions. The predominant types of vulnerable construction are unreinforced brick masonry and blocks”, can be read in the notice published in the North American service.
“There is a red alert for deaths and economic losses related to the tremor. There are likely to be a large number of casualties and extensive damage, and the disaster is likely widespread. Previous red alerts have required a national or international response”, adds the same service.
The USGS also indicates that the earthquake was felt at intensity IX on the Mercalli scale in an area where more than 100,000 people live. This is the second most serious scale, and predicts a “violent” shock.
