A devastating earthquake has struck northern and central Venezuela, causing widespread destruction of residential buildings and structures in the capital, Caracas. According to the U.S. Geological Survey's estimate, the death toll from the natural disaster could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people. This was reported by the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Reuters, citing Todayinfo.kz.
The earthquake occurred in the evening of June 24 local time. Initially, a first tremor with a magnitude of 7.2 was recorded, followed less than a minute later by a second powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5. The epicenters of both disasters were located near the city of Morón on the Caribbean coast (168 kilometers from the capital, Caracas), at a depth of 10-13 kilometers. In connection with this event, Venezuela's Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency across the country.
She also confirmed that more than 20 aftershocks were recorded after the main tremors and that the Caracas International Airport has been closed. The country's parliament suspended its session scheduled for June 25. Statement by Venezuela's Minister of Internal Affairs, Diosdado Cabello: "Currently, the fire department and police are combating the consequences of the disaster with all available resources."
Search and rescue operations for people trapped under the rubble are ongoing non-stop. Videos are circulating on social media showing debris at the Caracas airport and the port of La Guaira, as well as residents fleeing unstable buildings into the streets.
Many residents are in a state of shock. Venezuelan authorities have not yet released official data on the exact number of victims. After the disaster, the U.S. Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat for Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and several islands off the coast of Venezuela, but withdrew this warning an hour later. Embassies of foreign countries in Venezuela, including the Russian diplomatic mission, have reported that their buildings were not damaged and staff are safe.
