Venezuelan Quakes: Death Toll Could Reach 100,000, Seismologist Warns

The full extent of the devastation caused by recent earthquakes in Venezuela remains unclear, with a Greek seismologist warning that the true scale of the disaster is yet to be grasped. "We still cannot imagine what exactly has happened," stated Efthymis Lekkas, president of the Organization of Seismic Planning and Protection (OASP). He estimated that the death toll could range from 10,000 to a staggering 100,000, a possibility he considers to be around 50%. Lekkas described the event as one of the largest natural disasters in recent Latin American history.

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We still cannot imagine what exactly has happened.

The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, struck within 39 seconds of each other along major active fault lines in the northeastern Andes. Lekkas explained that the activation of these fault lines makes the phenomenon particularly complex and dangerous. He highlighted that many buildings in densely populated areas, potentially up to 75%, are highly vulnerable, exacerbating concerns about the widespread damage. The seismic activity has revealed the fragility of older, unreinforced stone structures, which suffered cracks and collapses, while newer buildings constructed to modern seismic codes showed better resilience, underscoring the importance of earthquake-resistant construction.

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The dead will be 10,000 to 100,000 and this is a possibility of around 50%.