Venezuela faces emergency after double earthquake
Two powerful consecutive earthquakes shook northern Venezuela on Wednesday night, leaving at least 235 people dead and more than 4,300 injured, according to Health Minister Carlos Alvarado. The number could rise as rescue teams search for survivors in the rubble.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a first earthquake of magnitude 7.2 with an epicenter west of Morón, 170 kilometers from Caracas. Barely a minute later, a second magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck at a shallow depth, amplifying the destruction. The combination of surface movements intensified the damage, explained geophysicist Marcos Ferreira.
“It’s like I’m screaming and then someone starts screaming too. That amplifies the vibration and increases the potential danger,” Ferreira said.
The coastal region of La Guaira, north of Caracas, suffered the worst damage. The country’s main airport closed due to damage, complicating the arrival of aid. Residents like Dayana Delgado, a mother of three, asked about heavy machinery that the government had promised. Neighbors dug with their own hands.
“I would like to know where my child is, if he is trapped there or is he hanging around in a shelter,” she said about her 8-year-old son, who is still missing.
The president in charge, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a state of emergency and announced a reconstruction fund of 200 million dollars. He requested heavy machinery from private companies for rescue efforts. Teams from the Dominican Republic were already arriving, and more international help was expected.
The United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, offered search teams, medical resources and logistical assistance. The Treasury Department temporarily waived sanctions until Oct. 23 to facilitate aid transactions. Governments of Mexico, Brazil, Spain, Qatar and others also promised shipments.
In Caracas, hundreds of people spent the night in open spaces for fear of aftershocks. Classes were suspended and some school buildings were converted into shelters. Electricity and cell service failed in several areas. Families began publishing lists of the missing while rescuers continued their work.
