Venezuela Earthquakes Kill At Least 188, Damage Buildings Near Caracas And La Guaira

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela near the capital on Wednesday, killing at least 188 people and injuring more than 1,500, according to the BBC and the US Geological Survey (USGS).

“Rescuers search rubble for survivors as Venezuela earthquakes kill at least 188 Rescuers are searching through rubble in a rush to save lives after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela near the capital, killing at least 188 people and injuring more than 1,500”

BBC

The BBC said the first quake measured 7.2 and was followed seconds later by a 7.5-magnitude quake, with both occurring close to the surface, making destruction more severe.

BBC

In Caracas and the nearby coastal city of La Guaira, people could be heard calling for help from under the debris of collapsed buildings as rescuers searched rubble for survivors.

The BBC reported that the earthquakes struck at 18:04 local time (22:04 GMT) on Wednesday, a national holiday in Venezuela, and that Jorge Rodríguez said on Thursday the death toll had risen after interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency.

Jorge Rodríguez also reported that 250 buildings had been damaged or lost, mostly in La Guaira, where the BBC verified footage of a 10-storey hotel reduced to rubble.

In Caracas, BBC Mundo’s Nicole Kolste said, "It was so strong that I thought the building was going to fall on top of me," describing the quake from the seventh floor of an apartment building in Los Palos Grandes.

The BBC also quoted Kolste saying, "It's the strongest quake I've ever felt in my life," as aftershocks continued to ripple through the area.

Folha de S.Paulo

Folha de S.Paulo described how, at 6:06 PM Caracas time on Wednesday, the journalist received an audio message from her sister Verónica on WhatsApp saying, "It just shook a lot. It's still shaking."

Folha de S.Paulo added that Verónica told her, "The apartment is all cracked. It was very strong," and said, "We are at home."

The BBC reported that Luis Hernandez, a Caracas-based journalist, said assessing the true scale of the damage would be difficult because "Due to the economic crisis in the country, it is very difficult for us to assess," with power cuts and internet failures complicating the situation.

The BBC reported that at least 30 aftershocks had been recorded after the two earthquakes, with Delcy Rodríguez telling state-run television channel Venezolana de Televisión that the tremors continued.

“Arabic version:فنزويلا تواجه الدمار بعد زلازل قوية Residents of Caracas are grappling with the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck the city on Wednesday evening”

Oz Arab Media

The BBC said the USGS warned that "High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread," and it estimated a 42% chance of more than 10,000 deaths and a 33% chance of more than 100,000.

The BBC also reported that the US promised $150m (£113m) in aid, while the interim president said Venezuela's main international airport in Maiquetía on the outskirts of Caracas has been closed due to serious damage.

Folha de S.Paulo described the immediate communications breakdown, saying telephone lines and the internet were down, and that messages weren’t getting through as the journalist tried to locate family members.

In the same BBC account, Mayor Gustavo Duque of Chacao said outside a ruined building on Thursday that 11 people had died there and 23 had been rescued, as teams worked to clear rubble so specialists could go in to reach people who might still be alive.