From The Telegraph, June 25:
State of emergency declared after 7.2 and 7.5-magnitude quakes
Two of the strongest earthquakes in Venezuela’s history rocked the country on Wednesday evening, trapping and killing residents as buildings collapsed.
A 7.2-magnitude quake struck near San Felipe city, west of the capital Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a more powerful 7.5-magnitude tremor, in a seismic event known as a “doublet earthquake”. Caracas was rattled by dozens of aftershocks on Wednesday night.
Some 32 people had been confirmed dead and 700 injured by the early hours of Thursday. Experts warned that the quakes, and ongoing aftershocks and landslides, could cause more than 1,000 deaths, “to potentially tens of thousands”.
In a late-night televised address to the nation, Delcy Rodríguez, Venezuela’s interim president, declared a state of emergency and ordered all doctors and nurses to report for duty.
“We extend our condolences to those who have unfortunately suffered the loss of a family member,” she said.
Authorities had yet to count the number of people killed or injured in the state of La Guaira, which was the worst-affected region, Ms Rodríguez added.
The disaster represents an early test for Ms Rodríguez, who has been running the impoverished country since the US’s capture of Nicolás Maduro in a violent raid in January.
Donald Trump, the US president, said the quakes had “left a devastating number of deaths” as he promised his country “stands ready, willing, and able to help”.
“I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good.”
Venezuelans rushed from buildings when the tremors began shortly after 6pm local time (11pm UK time). People in Caracas were seen running through the streets as cracks appeared in the walls of homes and offices. Concrete and glass scattered across the road as they evacuated.
Shocked residents shared video of paramedics attending to the injured, while rescue workers searched through dust and debris for more survivors.
People screamed for their loved ones outside destroyed homes and hotels, while others ran through the streets clutching their children as they searched for family members. It was not immediately clear how many people were trapped in damaged buildings.
Passengers inside Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía filmed their frantic efforts to find safety when debris fell from the ceiling of the terminal. The airport remained closed after suffering extensive damage, Ms Rodríguez confirmed during her national address.
The disaster echoed the region’s most devastating modern earthquake – the 1967 6.6-magnitude Caracas quake, which killed at least 240 people. It was the most powerful seismic event to be recorded in the region since the year 1900, according to United States Geological Survey (USGS) data.
The USGS said the 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred 39 seconds after the first, describing it as the “main shock in a double event”.
“The USGS assesses that high casualties and damage are probable, and that the disaster is likely widespread,” its preliminary advice said.
Jeremy Lewin, the US acting under secretary for foreign assistance, said Washington had “already mobilised a disaster assistance team”.
Nayib Bukele, El Salvador’s president, said his government had readied 300 rescuers and paramedics, along with medical equipment and essential supplies.
Luis Abinader, the president of the Dominican Republic, said his government would send military teams specialised in search and rescue to Venezuela early on Thursday....
....MUCH MORE
Korea's Chosun Daily is reporting:Venezuela Hit by 7.2, 7.5 Earthquakes Amid 100,000 Death Warning
USGS warns 44% chance of over 10,000 deaths as Venezuela's infrastructure faces collapse risks
