Venezuela declares state of emergency after two strong earthquakes

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck the nation in rapid succession, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the emergency measures, describing the event as having "serious consequences." While precise figures on damage and casualties were not immediately available hours after the tremors, Rodríguez stated that rescue efforts are the top priority. Consequently, school classes have been suspended, and train services halted. The international airport in Caracas also ceased operations due to damage sustained from the quakes. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the two earthquakes, occurring within less than a minute of each other on Wednesday evening local time, registered magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5. The USGS estimated a potential death toll ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 people. The second quake, in particular, struck at a shallow depth of only 10 kilometers, significantly increasing the likelihood of widespread destruction and loss of life. The full extent of the disaster is still unfolding as rescue teams work to assess the damage and reach affected areas.

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incident with serious consequences