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A pair of seismic events has struck Venezuela in the last 24 hours, unleashing a trail of destruction and potentially claiming hundreds of lives, United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported. According to the agency, the two earthquakes caused extensive damage, leaving millions of people in a state of uncertainty.
Early yesterday morning, a powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.4 shook Venezuela at 6:23 a.m. Venezuelan Standard Time, while a second earthquake of 5.8 magnitude occurred roughly 20 hours later, at 2:23 a.m. Venezuelan Standard Time. This series of events has left widespread destruction in its wake, with millions directly affected by the powerful quakes.
As per USGS data, an estimated 8 million Venezuelans felt the ‘strong’ to ‘violent’ shaking caused by the two seismic events. This translates to about a third of the country’s population, which further exacerbates the situation. Thousands have reportedly been left injured, with some estimates indicating that casualty numbers could potentially exceed the thousands.
“High casualties and extensive damage” are likely outcomes from the devastating earthquakes that hit Venezuela, USGS said in a statement. “This tragedy is likely to have far-reaching implications on public health, infrastructure, and overall quality of life for the affected population,” the agency noted. As rescue and relief efforts continue, local authorities and the regional government are expected to face enormous challenges in responding to disaster-stricken regions.
While officials have thus far refrained from making official casualty numbers public, the potential scale of devastation is undoubtedly massive. Earthquake-prone regions often experience an increase in aftershocks as seismic activity attempts to reach equilibrium. Consequently, experts predict that there could be multiple smaller quakes in the coming days.
The international community is offering support in aid and relief efforts as the country deals with the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Governments worldwide are in close communication with regional authorities and are working together to facilitate the delivery of necessary supplies and personnel as the situation requires.
The full extent and depth of damage caused by the devastating earthquakes are expected to become clearer as more data and assessment reports become available.