Venezuela hit by deadly twin earthquakes, over 700 injured

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of twin earthquakes that struck the nation on June 25, leaving at least 32 people dead and over 700 injured. The powerful tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, hit within a minute of each other near the coastal town of Morón, approximately 170 km west of Caracas.

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The state of La Guaira is facing a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, warning that the casualty figures are likely to climb as rescue teams work to reach collapsed structures and remote areas. The state of La Guaira has been particularly hard-hit, described as a "disaster zone" with dozens of buildings reduced to rubble. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to stay clear of damaged homes due to numerous aftershocks and confirmed that gas supplies were cut to some buildings to mitigate fire risks.

The seismic activity caused significant disruption to infrastructure. Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas was shut down due to "serious damage," and metro services in the capital were suspended. Many residents in Caracas experienced power and communication outages, spending the night outdoors fearing aftershocks. Hector Ricci, a Caracas resident, described the experience: "It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses."

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It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses.

The tremors were felt across borders, reaching as far as Colombia and Brazil's Amazon region. The United States and several Latin American governments have offered assistance. These earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century, a country not typically known for major seismic events compared to other regions in Latin America.

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The state of La Guaira is facing a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone.