Caracas: The death toll from two powerful earthquakes that struck northern Venezuela has risen to at least 164, with over 1,000 individuals reported injured. Rescuers are working tirelessly to locate missing persons trapped under debris, with expectations that the death toll will rise further as tens of thousands remain unaccounted for.
According to Thai News Agency, the earthquakes, both exceeding magnitude 7, occurred late last night. The first quake, measuring 7.2 magnitude, struck just before 7:00 PM, followed by a 7.5 magnitude quake less than a minute later. This marks Venezuela's strongest seismic event since 1900. The epicenter was located in the northern state of Yarraguil, and its shallow depth of 30 kilometers amplified the tremors, which were felt as far as Bogot¡, Colombia.
In response, Venezuela's interim president, Delcy Rodrguez, declared a nationwide state of emergency, mobilizing all rescue and civil defense forces to search for survivors throughout the night. The state of Laguira, north of Caracas, has been declared a disaster zone due to the extensive collapse of buildings. In Caracas, numerous residential and other structures have fallen, and over 30 aftershocks have prompted residents to evacuate, seeking refuge in streets and sports stadiums.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working through the night and into the morning to find those still trapped. The U.S. Geological Survey has warned of a high probability of fatalities and injuries due to the region's inadequate building structures, which were not designed to withstand such earthquakes. The timing of the quakes, coinciding with a public holiday, has increased the likelihood of more individuals being trapped indoors.
In light of the devastation, the Venezuelan government has established a $200 million emergency fund for infrastructure and home repairs. International aid has also begun arriving, with countries including the United States, Mexico, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Qatar, and France dispatching search and rescue teams and relief supplies to support the ongoing efforts in Venezuela.