At least 32 individuals have lost their lives, and 700 others have sustained injuries following two significant seismic events that struck Venezuela in rapid succession.
The initial quake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, occurred late on Wednesday, June 24, near the capital city of Caracas. Just 39 seconds later, a more powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake shook the South American nation.
Videos shared on social media depicted vehicles trembling, streets engulfed in smoke, and structural damage within some buildings.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed the death toll of 32 and the injuries of 700 individuals due to the earthquakes, as reported by local media outlets.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) previously stated that a significant number of casualties and extensive destruction were likely, indicating a widespread disaster.
Reports indicate that people are trapped beneath the debris of buildings impacted by the tremors. Distraught locals joined forces with rescue teams to search for survivors amidst the rubble left by the earthquakes.
Olky Barrero, a 56-year-old educator assisting in the search and rescue efforts, described the situation as “horrible” and expressed hopes for minimal casualties, emphasizing the community’s prayers.
Residents hurried to evacuate as the ground trembled and recounted the terrifying experience of buildings swaying violently.
Roberto Damas described the intense shaking, stating, “The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong,” highlighting the chaos and destruction caused by the seismic activity.
Coastal residents in Venezuela were on edge about a potential tsunami threat following the earthquakes. However, the US Tsunami Warning Centers have since confirmed that the tsunami risk has subsided, alleviating further concerns.
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