Thousands of Venezuelans are feared to have perished following two significant earthquakes that struck the vicinity of Caracas, leaving many individuals trapped under collapsed structures and triggering potent aftershocks. The initial magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred approximately 160 kilometers west of Caracas in Morón along the Caribbean coast, swiftly followed by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. By Thursday afternoon, the confirmed death toll stood at 188, with over 1,500 individuals injured and another 200 individuals unaccounted for.
Among the hardest-hit areas was La Guaira state on the northwestern coast, particularly the city’s airport, where distressing scenes unfolded as ceilings crumbled, causing panic among witnesses. The situation in La Guaira state was described as a tragic disaster zone by Rodriguez, an official. A dedicated website established by opposition leaders to track missing persons, primarily those residing outside Venezuela, listed over 24,000 individuals missing by 10:40 a.m. local time.
International aid efforts were swiftly mobilized, with UN aid chief Tom Fletcher coordinating the deployment of global rescue teams, emphasizing the significant collective endeavor required in a country where millions were already in need of humanitarian assistance prior to the earthquake. Due to ongoing political instability during the Maduro era, Canada, which lacks an embassy in Caracas, advised its citizens to adhere to local authorities’ directives and stay updated through local media platforms.
Prime Minister Mark Carney conveyed his sympathies to the affected Venezuelans and announced Canada’s readiness to provide humanitarian support in the upcoming period. The calamity in Caracas prompted emergency responders to navigate through debris in search-and-rescue missions, with distraught families seeking aid for their loved ones believed to be trapped. Survivors recounted harrowing experiences, likening the scene to that of a horror movie.
The relentless aftershocks following the earthquakes, the most severe in Venezuela in over a century, continued to unsettle Caracas well into the early hours of Thursday. Rescue operations were intensified to save lives, with numerous buildings collapsing throughout the affected regions. The USGS projected the potential death toll to surpass thousands, with a significant likelihood of exceeding 10,000 casualties.
The seismic events struck when many Venezuelans were at home during a public holiday, causing widespread damage and casualties. Essential services, including power and internet connectivity, were disrupted, exacerbating the distress of residents, especially for those who had emigrated during the country’s prolonged crisis. The Venezuelan Red Cross reported critical damage to its headquarters but dispatched rescue teams to the most affected areas, highlighting the dangers posed by aftershocks.
The aftermath of the earthquakes necessitated the closure of Simon Bolivar Airport near Caracas due to structural damage, with educational institutions suspending classes to accommodate shelters. The country’s focus shifted to rescue efforts, including the impending arrival of international aid teams to bolster relief operations. The seismic events underscored Venezuela’s vulnerability to natural disasters, situated in a region where tectonic plates converge, heightening the risk of seismic activity.