Two powerful earthquakes in Venezuela kill at least 32 and injure over 700
via Le Mauricien2 min read
Two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on Wednesday. Interim President Delcy Rodriguez announced a provisional toll of 32 dead and over 700 injured, declaring a state of emergency. She noted that data for the state of La Guaira, near the capital and believed to be the most affected region, was not yet available. Caracas airport was closed due to severe damage. The United States Geological Survey USGS reported the first tremor occurred at 6:04 PM local time, about 200 km west of Caracas, at a depth of 21.9 km. A second quake, magnitude 7.5 at a depth of 10 km, followed 39 seconds later 45 km away, accompanied by about twenty aftershocks. The USGS described this as the most powerful earthquake to hit the country since 1900, calling it a "double event" and a "catastrophe of considerable magnitude" with potentially heavy casualties and significant damage. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello stated that several buildings collapsed in the capital and ordered gas supply cuts. The French Embassy in Caracas sustained material damage, but all French agents were contacted and are safe. France, along with its European partners, is ready to assess how to meet Venezuela's urgent needs, potentially through the European civil protection mechanism if requested. The United States, through President Donald Trump and Marco Rubio, also offered immediate assistance, including rescuers and humanitarian aid. The US Secretary of State spoke with the interim presid
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