Caracas, Venezuela — These are some of the devastatingl events following a powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela on Wednesday, June 24.
The disaster hit on a national holiday, when millions of Venezuelans were commemorating the historic Battle of Carabobo, a decisive victory by Venezuela against the Spanish colonial power.
According to the United States Geological Survey or USGS, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck just west of its capital Caracas at around 6:04 p.m. local time.
However, just 39 seconds later, a stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed.
The USGS said the earthquakes were caused by shallow “strike-slip faulting” along the “complex boundary” between the Caribbean and South American plates.
MATS: https://x.com/delcyrodriguezv/status/2070011906551676995?s=46
According to Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez, first data shows that at least 32 dead and around 700 were injured from the earthquake.
But the USGS assessed that high casualties are likely, estimating a 39% probability that the death toll could reach 10,000.
Meanwhile, a tsunami threat was briefly issued for neighboring countries following the earthquakes, but the warning was lifted as of this reporting.
Venezuela’s main international airport has been shut down due to severe infrastructure damage as authorities continue assessing the full extent of the disaster.
On the other hand, Venezuelan Acting President Rodríguez has declared a nationwide state of emergency.
Classes also have been suspended for the rest of the week, while rail services and other non-essential activities have been temporarily halted.
Search and rescue operations continued to locate possible survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Meanwhile in other parts of the world, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake has also been felt in northern Japan this Thursday, June 25.