Algerian Radio
Two powerful earthquakes left at least 32 dead and over 700 injured in Venezuela on Wednesday evening, according to a preliminary toll from authorities, who fear more casualties, particularly in the region near Caracas.
"At present, we have received reports of 32 deaths" and "over 700 injured," declared Interim President Delcy Rodriguez in a message to the nation after declaring a state of emergency.
She specified that she did not yet have data regarding the State of La Guaira, located near the capital, which she said is the most affected region. Caracas airport, which she noted was severely damaged, has been closed, and several buildings have collapsed in the capital.
A first tremor of magnitude 7.2 occurred at 6:04 PM local time (22:04 GMT) at a depth of 21.9 km, about 200 km west of Caracas. It was followed by a second quake of magnitude 7.5 at a depth of 10 km, recorded 39 seconds later 45 km away, and then by around twenty aftershocks, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that several buildings had collapsed in the capital and indicated that he had ordered the gas supply to be shut off.
"Some structures have been damaged, and we want to avoid any gas-related accidents," he wrote on social media. He confirmed there were injuries but did not initially provide a detailed toll.
Maiquetia International Airport in La Guaira, about 40 km from Caracas, was closed "due to severe damage," Delcy Rodriguez stated. The tremor was felt as far away as Colombia, in the capital Bogota, despite it being 1,000 km away as the crow flies.
