At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes shook Venezuela on Wednesday evening, according to an official update from Acting President Delcy Rodriguez early Thursday.
Worst-Hit Region Declared Disaster Zone
Rodriguez stated that the coastal state of La Guaira in northern Venezuela was the hardest hit, describing it as a “disaster zone” where numerous buildings have completely collapsed. “La Guaira state is a true tragedy,” Rodriguez said on state television. The initial death toll of 32 and 700 injured does not yet include figures from La Guaira, as connectivity issues currently affect the area, she added.
Two Quakes Near Coastal Town
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 7.1 earthquake at around 22:04 GMT on Wednesday, followed by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor just one minute later. Both earthquakes struck near the coastal town of Moron, approximately 160 kilometers west of Caracas.
Widespread Damage Across Country
Venezuela’s Interior, Justice and Peace Minister, Diosdado Cabello, said the strong earthquakes caused damage in cities across the nation. Numerous buildings collapsed in the eastern part of the Caracas metropolitan area, Cabello noted. Rescue operations are ongoing, and authorities are assessing the full extent of the destruction.
