Venezuela Twin Earthquakes Leave 32 Dead, Over 700 Injured; Toll Expected to Rise

Caracas: Acting Venezuela President Rodríguez said early Thursday that at least 32 people were dead and 700 injured after back-to-back powerful earthquakes struck the country on Wednesday evening. Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela in quick succession, both causing strong tremors in the capital, Caracas.

Death Toll Mounts to 32 as Twin Quakes Flatten Buildings

She warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers searched collapsed buildings and emergency crews reached devastated areas after the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes roiled the region. La Guaira apparently was the hardest-hit state, she said.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are engaged in the arduous task of rescuing the lives that God allows us to save. The state of La Guaira is facing a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone,” she said.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 7.1 quake at 2204 GMT on Wednesday evening, followed just one minute later by an even stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor. Both struck near the coastal town of Moron, about 160 km west of Caracas. The quakes were shallow, with a depth of 10 km, which could intensify their destructive impact.

Related Stories

CBI Launches Mega Blitz on Digital Arrest Syndicates with Raids at 80 Locations Twin Earthquakes Shaken Venezuela: Nationwide Emergency Declared Fire safety inspection: Non-compliant units asked to shut down 600 Illegal Parking Hotspots Identified on National Highways in Supreme Court-Driven Road Safety Push