Τελευταία Νέα
Διεθνή

Chaos in Venezuela from double earthquake of 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude – State of emergency declared, fears for over 100,000 casualties

casualties emergency earthquake Venezuela tags :
Chaos in Venezuela from double earthquake of 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude – State of emergency declared, fears for over 100,000 casualties

Initial reports indicate 32 dead and 700 injured – American geologists estimate a 30% probability that the death toll could exceed 100,000.

Venezuela has been declared in a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck the country within seconds of each other, causing the collapse of numerous buildings. Although there is no official final death toll yet, estimates suggest that fatalities could range from 10,000 to 100,000. Early reports currently cite 32 deaths and 700 injuries. "We are now declaring a state of emergency, as provided for in our constitution," stated Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez in a televised message, noting that the international airport serving the capital sustained severe damage and its operations are suspended until further notice.

Authorities have suspended school and railway operations, while chaos and panic prevail in many regions. The situation remains unclear in the cities of Puerto Cabello and San Felipe, which are closest to the epicenter and are home to over 400,000 people.1111111_4.png

Rescue teams are working tirelessly to extract survivors from the rubble.5555555_2.png

Initial information: 32 dead and 700 injured – The toll will rise

At least 32 dead and 700 injured is the preliminary tally from the two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela, according to President Rodriguez. However, she indicated that this figure will rise in the coming hours.4433333333.png

7777777.pngAs she stated, the preliminary casualty count does not include victims from the state of La Guaira, near Caracas—where the city's airport is located—which is the area that has been hit the hardest. "Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and at this moment, we are conducting very intensive rescue operations to save as many lives as God allows us to save," she said. "I also want to say that this is a real tragedy. We send our message of solidarity to the families who lost their loved ones, and we reiterate our condolences and support for them during these difficult hours," Rodriguez added.7777777.png

000_34.jpg

Double earthquake

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), two series of earthquakes occurred, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude. Data from the USGS indicates the first tremor, a 7.2 magnitude "foreshock," was recorded at 18:04 local time (01:04 Greek time) at a depth of 21.9 kilometers, about 200 kilometers west of Caracas.0009_2.jpg

 

The second, a 7.5 magnitude tremor with a shallow focal depth of 10 kilometers, followed 39 seconds later, 45 kilometers away. Subsequently, approximately 20 strong aftershocks were recorded. The USGS warned that this "doublet" earthquake carries the risk of causing "large-scale" destruction and "thousands" of deaths.543_29.jpg

In a state of emergency

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez appeared on state television alongside her brother Jorge, head of the National Assembly, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello. Rodriguez expressed her condolences to the families of those killed in the earthquake, announced that the Venezuelan government is activating a state of emergency, and underscored that Maiquetia Airport has been closed due to earthquake damage.

USGS: Estimates of over 100,000 dead

There are confirmed deaths and injuries, though the exact number is not yet known.

"It is likely that there will be a high number of casualties and widespread damage, and the disaster is likely to be large-scale," reported the USGS, providing an initial estimate that the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000.008_3.jpg

Authorities did not immediately provide a national tally for the dead or injured, but local officials and eyewitnesses reported building collapses, ongoing rescue missions, and a rising number of injured citizens.

American geologists estimate there is a 30% probability that the death toll will exceed 100,000.

Trump intervention: We are ready to help

US President Donald Trump stated that the US "is ready, willing, and able to help" following the two earthquakes that struck the northern coast of Venezuela. "I have ordered all of our government agencies to be ready to move quickly," Trump wrote in a post on social media. "We will be there for our new and great friends." He added, "Initial reports are not good!!!"

Oil infrastructure unaffected

Venezuela's oil infrastructure did not appear to be directly affected, as almost none of the cities where there are official reports of serious damage include critical oil installations. Authorities in Maracaibo, near the major oil center of Lake Maracaibo, stated that no injuries have been reported. Venezuela holds the largest estimated oil reserves in the world, but crude production remains at a fraction of its capacity due to decades of mismanagement, lack of investment, and sanctions, according to official data.

Many energy companies operating in the country were taking stock of their personnel before proceeding to initial assessments of the condition of oil wells, facilities, and refineries. One source noted that a prolonged power outage could affect crude production levels until the supply is restored. The British oil company Shell, which is considering the development of natural gas fields in Venezuela, stated that all of its employees in the country have been accounted for and there are no injuries.32_40.jpg

09_31.jpg

011_7.jpg

Earthquakes also in Japan

Earthquakes measuring 6.9 magnitude were also recorded in northeastern Japan. The quake was felt in Tokyo and even in the southern part of Russia's Kuril Islands. No tsunami warning was issued for that region. As reported by the Kyodo agency, citing local services, four people in the Aomori prefecture and one in the Iwate prefecture were injured due to the powerful earthquake in Japan. In Aomori, where the intensity of the tremors reached 6+ on the seven-level scale used in Japan, four individuals were injured by falls and objects falling from upper shelves. In Iwate, a 90-year-old woman was taken to the hospital after also being injured in a fall. It is also reported that a first-grade student was trapped in an elevator that stopped due to the earthquake in Morioka, the administrative center of the Iwate prefecture.

www.bankingnews.gr

Ρoή Ειδήσεων

Σχόλια αναγνωστών

Δείτε επίσης