Venezuela declares emergency after powerful quakes kill 32, injure hundreds
Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela west of the capital Caracas on a public holiday, catching the country off guard. The first, a magnitude 7.2 quake at a depth of 22 kilometres, was followed just 39 seconds later by a stronger 7.5 magnitude tremor at 10 kilometres. Buildings were levelled or left badly damaged, while panic broke out at the country's main international airport. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, with one saying it was “like a horror movie” as residents climbed over rubble to escape. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez says at least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured, ordering the evacuation of buildings with severe structural damage. Hundreds of emergency responders are continuing search and rescue operations, while authorities have declared a nationwide emergency. US officials have also pledged support and humanitarian assistance, according to reports.
Al Jazeera's Perry Walton reports.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Noris Soto, a journalist in Caracas, said the city was unprepared for a disaster of this scale. She described how the quake struck while people were on holiday, saying: “We were watching the World Cup, like a regular holiday, and then we felt this huge movement.” She added that buildings were left cracked and structurally damaged, and said the last major earthquake in Venezuela was in 1967, more than 60 years ago. “Nothing that you can read prepares you for this,” she said. Soto said power and communications have been cut in several areas, with conditions in La Guaira — home to the country's main port and airport — described as significantly worse than in Caracas. She added that many residents have lost their homes and are sheltering in public squares and streets, while emergency services struggle to respond. Several countries, including El Salvador, Brazil, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, have offered assistance.
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