Venezuela has declared a state of emergency following two powerful earthquakes that struck the capital, Caracas, on Wednesday evening. The quakes, measuring 7.5 and 7.2 in magnitude, caused significant destruction, leading to collapsed buildings and widespread panic among residents. Officials have warned of high casualties, although exact numbers are still unclear.

Emergency Response and Damage Assessment
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the state of emergency during a televised address, urging citizens to remain calm and evacuate damaged structures. The main international airport in Caracas suffered severe damage, prompting its closure, while metro and train services were also halted. Rodríguez expressed condolences to those affected and called for unity in the face of the disaster. Rescue operations are ongoing, with volunteers and medical personnel working tirelessly to locate survivors amid the rubble.

Eyewitness Accounts of Destruction
Reports indicate that the earthquakes, which struck shortly after 6 PM local time, caused extensive damage in Altamira, an affluent area of Caracas. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with residents fleeing buildings as debris fell. José Morillo, a local resident, arrived at a collapsed residential building searching for his family members who were inside during the quakes. “I have faith. I believe in God a lot. I hope everyone is OK – but uncertainty is torture,” he stated while rescue workers searched for survivors.

Rescue Efforts Intensify
The emergency response has been hampered by the scale of the destruction. Hospital staff in Caracas have been asked to extend their shifts to accommodate the influx of injured individuals. Videos from the scene show darkened hallways and damaged facilities within hospitals. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed that aftershocks are likely, which could further destabilize already compromised structures.

Public Reaction and Ongoing Concerns
Citizens have been urged to stay outdoors due to fears of aftershocks and further building collapses. Olky Barrero, a teacher volunteering in the rescue efforts, described the terrifying experience of the earthquakes, stating, “It was horrible. We hope to God that there are as few victims as possible. We’re praying.” The full extent of the casualties remains unknown as rescue operations continue throughout the night.

Wrap-up
As Venezuela grapples with the aftermath of these devastating earthquakes, the government is mobilizing resources to aid affected communities and manage the emergency response. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing efforts to locate survivors and assess the damage across Caracas and surrounding areas.

Sources
theguardian.com

@hoju-korean.com Editorial Team