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🇻🇪 Venezuela /Disasters & Emergencies

Venezuelan engineers to probe earthquake building collapses

From El Nacional · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Venezuela's College of Engineers will conduct forensic engineering studies on earthquake-damaged buildings to determine if collapses resulted from the quake's magnitude or construction flaws.
  • The analysis will involve examining debris and standing structures to establish responsibility for damage in Caracas, La Guaira, and other affected areas.
  • Findings will guide authorities on whether damaged buildings require reinforcement, repair, or demolition, while preliminary inspections continue to identify immediate risks.

The College of Engineers of Venezuela (CIV) is launching a new phase of technical analysis to investigate building collapses following the June 24 earthquakes. Engineers will conduct forensic studies on debris and remaining structures to determine if the failures were caused by the earthquake's magnitude or by deficiencies in design and construction. Félix Ojeda Oropeza, president of the CIV's National Assembly of Representatives, stated that these specialized studies are essential due to the seismic event's exceptional characteristics and proximity to the epicenter.

Through meticulous study with a scientific evaluation of the debris and the structures that remain standing, civil engineers specializing in structures and construction pathology will determine if the collapses were due to the extraordinary magnitude of nature or if there were design flaws, materials, or non-compliance with seismic regulations.

— Félix Ojeda OropezaPresident of the National Assembly of Representatives of the College of Engineers of Venezuela (CIV), explaining the scope of the forensic engineering studies.

The goal is to scientifically assess whether collapses resulted from extraordinary natural forces or from design flaws, material issues, or non-compliance with seismic regulations. Ojeda explained that the findings will serve as crucial input for authorities deciding the fate of compromised buildings, differentiating between those that can be reinforced and those requiring demolition.

While these detailed analyses proceed, the CIV continues its immediate post-emergency technical inspections. These rapid assessments have helped identify immediate risks and provide technical guidance to contingency response agencies. The CIV is acting as a state advisor in coordination with the Presidential Commission for Infrastructure Habitability Assessment and other institutions, prioritizing the immediate evaluation of buildings to ensure public safety.

This new phase of expert examination will serve as input for the competent authorities to define which buildings will have to undergo reinforcement/repairs and which will have to go through a definitive demolition process.

— Félix Ojeda OropezaExplaining the practical application of the forensic reports for decision-making on damaged buildings.

Ojeda also clarified the meaning of the "traffic light" color-coding system for buildings. He urged the public not to interpret a red signal as a definitive judgment on a structure's future. This red designation is purely a preventive measure to restrict access to buildings exhibiting potential risks, pending further detailed evaluation.

Our priority has been to evaluate the buildings immediately through visual inspections to guarantee the ultimate goal: the physical safety and integrity of people.

— Félix Ojeda OropezaHighlighting the CIV's immediate response and focus on public safety after the earthquakes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Nacional in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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