Twin Earthquakes Kill At Least 188 in Venezuela, Collapse Buildings in Caracas

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minute apart on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings in Caracas and killing at least 188 people, according to NBC News and President of Venezuela’s National Assembly Jorge Rodriguez.

“The twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela overnight are the latest reminder that Latin America remains one of the world's most earthquake-prone regions”

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NBC News said Rodriguez reported at least 1,520 people were injured and at least 157 people were still missing, while the U.S. Geological Survey described the disaster as likely widespread.

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The Independent reported that at least 188 people have died and more than 30,000 remain missing after the quakes, which it said were 39 seconds apart and measured magnitude 7.2 and 7.5.

Billboard said the twin earthquakes hit on Wednesday night (June 24) and caused the collapse of multiple buildings, primarily in the coastal region of La Guaira north of Caracas and in the capital city, and it cited the Associated Press for the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 figures.

Billboard also reported that by midday Thursday (June 25) the Associated Press reported at least 164 fatal victims while “many more were feared dead,” adding that the first quake was magnitude 7.2 west of Morón and the second was magnitude 7.5 with an epicenter 10 miles southwest of Morón.

NBC News said President Donald Trump wrote on social media late Wednesday that he had “instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!!!”

NBC News also quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying the U.S. was “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance.”

AP News

The Independent reported that Jorge Rodríguez said on national television that 188 were confirmed dead, 1,520 injured and 200 still trapped, and it said authorities expected the death toll to rise significantly as bodies were identified.

France 24 reported that interim president Delcy Rodriguez said at least 164 dead and over 970 hurt, and it described desperate residents battling to rescue loved ones beneath rubble in La Guaira.

In Caracas, CNN said the state of emergency was declared as first responders deployed nationwide, and it quoted Médecins Sans Frontières medical coordinator Halima Husein saying, “There are still a lot of people staying outside,” as many could not return home.

CNN reported that the U.S. Geological Survey issued two separate red alerts through its PAGER system for the back-to-back quakes, warning of probable “high casualties and extensive damage.”

“Venezuela is once again in a state of national emergency, and this time not for political reasons”

Billboard

CNN also said thousands of Caracas residents slept outdoors or in their cars overnight, fearful of aftershocks that kept hitting the city even after the major quakes had subsided.

The Independent said the interim president declared a state of emergency after the earthquakes caused building collapses in the capital and forced the closure of the country’s main international airport.

NBC News reported that Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced on state television that the airport in Caracas was closed because of heavy damage, while school and nonessential activities were suspended.

Billboard said the disaster prompted multiple nations to offer to send aid to Venezuela, including the United States, and it described the International Federation of the Red Cross saying the Venezuelan Red Cross was operational and responding with “nationwide network of hospitals and polyclinics active” while its National Headquarters had reported critical damage.