GUWAHATI: Venezuela has declared a state of emergency After two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude struck near the Venezuelan capital of Caracas at 6:04 PM local time on Wednesday, June 24.
ALSO READ: GMC Suspends Two, Seeks Withdrawal of Junior Engineer Over Ambubachi Duty Lapses
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured 7.1 in magnitude and was centred west of the coastal community of Morón, approximately 168 kilometres from Caracas. The quake occurred at a depth of 22 kilometres.
Just one minute later, the USGS recorded a stronger earthquake measuring 7.5 in magnitude. The quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located about 16 kilometres southwest of Morón.
Buildings collapsed in several areas, including parts of Caracas, with videos circulating on social media showing residents fleeing onto the streets as structures crumbled. Emergency services have been deployed across affected regions to search for survivors trapped under debris and assess damage to infrastructure.
Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez said at least 32 people had lost their lives and around 700 others had been injured. Authorities have not yet provided an estimate of the final death toll, amid concerns that casualties could rise significantly as rescue operations continue.
The USGS had earlier estimated a 44 per cent probability of more than 10,000 fatalities and a 30 per cent probability of over 100,000 deaths following the second major quake.
More than 20 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes, raising fears of further structural damage and hampering rescue and recovery efforts.
Rodríguez also announced the closure of Maiquetia International Airport near Caracas after the facility reportedly suffered serious infrastructure damage during the disaster.
Authorities have urged residents to remain alert as emergency teams continue search-and-rescue operations and monitor the situation across affected areas.
In a separate development, a magnitude 7 earthquake struck Japan, shaking Hashikami Town in Aomori Prefecture. The epicentre was reported off the coast of neighbouring Iwate Prefecture.