On Wednesday afternoon, two strong earthquakes struck west of Caracas, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, causing buildings to collapse and prompting fears of high casualties. The U.S. Geological Survey indicated that the disaster is likely to be widespread, with initial estimates suggesting a death toll between 10,000 and 100,000.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported that some buildings in Caracas have fallen, and emergency workers are actively responding to the situation. Many residents were at home celebrating a public holiday when the quakes occurred, leading to chaotic evacuations. The region is known for its seismic activity due to the collision of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates.
Tsunami Warning System initially issued a tsunami threat for nearby islands but later rescinded it. The impact of these earthquakes could have far-reaching implications for Venezuela's already fragile infrastructure and economy, potentially exacerbating existing humanitarian challenges