Powerful seismic tremors hit Venezuela, authorities warn of thousands of possible deaths

On Wednesday afternoon, western Venezuela was struck by powerful earthquakes near Caracas, the country’s capital, collapsing buildings, leaving people trapped under rubble and raising alarm among scientists about numerous casualties and severe damage across the South American nation.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake was initially recorded about 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Caracas, while less than a minute later it was followed by another tremor measuring magnitude 7.5.

The USGS said that “significant casualties and extensive damage are likely, and the disaster is likely widespread,” making a preliminary assessment that the death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000 people.

Although authorities did not immediately release a nationwide toll of the dead and injured, local officials and witnesses spoke of collapsed buildings, rescue operations on the ground and a growing number of injured people.

In a state television broadcast, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said that “we have buildings, residences and homes that have collapsed, and we are dealing with the situation with everything we have available in terms of security and civil assistance.” He added that “firefighters, police, everyone has been mobilized.”

As night fell, footage showed emergency teams moving through the remains of a collapsed building in the capital, while desperate relatives sought help for their loved ones, who were believed to be trapped under the rubble.

In Chacao, a municipality east of Caracas, Mayor Gustavo Duque told broadcaster Globovision that two structures had collapsed, 16 people had been injured and there had been fatalities, but he did not give an exact death toll.

“We will do everything we can to save as many people as possible,” he said.