Venezuela declares state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes hit the capital Caracas within seconds of each other
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez has declared a state of emergency in the country after two powerful earthquakes struck the capital Caracas within seconds of each other. The powerful tremors were felt at 6:04 p.m. local time on Wednesday (June 24), Al Jazeera reported.
According to the US Geological Survey, the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.2, which struck the western region of Morón, about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas. Just a minute later, another earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 was felt near the same area. It poses a high risk of death and widespread damage and is feared to affect a wide area.
Several more aftershocks have also been reported. Residents took to the streets in panic after the earthquake. Meanwhile, the USGS has expressed fears that the death toll could be between 10,000 and 100,000. Meanwhile, several buildings were reported to have collapsed in the Altamira area of Caracas. Caracas’ Simón Bolívar International Airport has been closed due to the damage.
