Twin earthquakes strike Venezuela, causing building collapses and widespread panic
via The Namibian2 min read
Two earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck the same area of Venezuela on Wednesday evening, leading to building collapses and panic in the capital, Caracas. The United States Geological Survey USGS reported that the 7.5-magnitude quake was preceded by a 7.2 foreshock. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that some buildings collapsed and roofs crumbled, though the number of fatalities was unknown. Residents described intense shaking, with one bank employee noting, "The stairs came away, the whole wall cracked. Things fell from the ceiling. It was horrible." An AFP journalist observed a 22-story building completely destroyed in Caracas's Altamira neighborhood. Cabello advised people to evacuate their homes and mentioned that gas supplies were cut in several buildings as a precaution due to damaged structures. The tremors were felt as far away as Bogota, Colombia, where alarms sounded and some residents evacuated buildings. Colombia's National Seismological Network coordinator, Freddy Tovar, indicated that aftershocks were possible. Both the Colombian disaster management agency UNGRD and the US National Tsunami Warning Center ruled out the possibility of a tsunami.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
Morocco secured a 4-2 victory over Haiti in a World Cup match in Atlanta, but finished second in Group C behind Brazil on goal difference. Haiti, despite being eliminated, scored their first World Cup goals in 52 years, with a Yassine Bounou own goal and a strike from Wilson Isidor giving them the lead twice. Achraf Hakimi and Ismael Saibari equalized for Morocco before halftime. Soufiane Rahimi gave Morocco the lead with a deflected effort, and Gessime Yassine sealed the win. Morocco will now face a likely meeting against the Netherlands or Japan in Monterrey. Haiti's performances, despite not earning points, were noted for making their nation proud at their first World Cup since 1974.
Bosnia-Herzegovina secured a 3-1 victory over Qatar in their final Group B match, moving to four points and positioning themselves strongly to advance to the World Cup knockout stages for the first time. Qatar, the 2022 hosts, have been eliminated at the group stage. Goals for Bosnia came from 18-year-old Kerim Alajbegovic and an own goal by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada. Qatar's Hassan al-Haydos scored late in the first half, but Ermin Mahmic sealed the win for Bosnia in the 80th minute. Bosnia started strong, with Abunada making early saves from Ermedin Demirovic and Ivan Sunjic. Alajbegovic opened the scoring with a shot from outside the area. Edin Dzeko, playing his 150th cap, contributed to Bosnia's second goal, which deflected off a Qatari player and Abunada. Al-Haydos scored for Qatar in the 42nd minute. Al-Haydos later left the game injured in the 55th minute. Mahmic scored Bosnia's third goal, leading to his booking for removing his shirt in celebration.
Brazil secured their spot in the World Cup last 32, winning Group C after a 3-0 victory against Scotland. Vinicius Junior scored two goals, bringing his tournament total to four in three games. His first goal came early due to a defensive error, and he added another in first-half stoppage time. Matheus Cunha scored Brazil's third goal in the second half. Neymar made his first international appearance in over two and a half years, coming on as a substitute late in the game. Brazil will now face the runners-up of Group F Netherlands, Japan, or Sweden in Houston on June 29. Scotland, with three points, faces potential elimination and must await other results to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. Morocco finished second in Group C after beating Haiti 4-2.