Horse’s Mouth News appreciates donations in support of good journalism and quality reportage. (Naira Account, Nigeria)
Account number: 6281917627
Account name: Horse’s Mouth News Media
Bank: Monie Point
Twin earthquakes hit Venezuela, at least 164 dead, almost 1,000 injured
Powerful twin earthquakes have hit the South American country of Venezuela, leaving at least 164 people dead and almost 1,000 injured.
The country’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez made the disclosure on Thursday, after the massive shocks collapsed entire buildings, placing the public in panic mode.
Authorities and citizens were seen clambering on piles of rubble in search of survivors, as Rodriguez quickly declared a state of emergency.
The president who first addressed the citizens early Thursday, noted: “At this time, we have received reports of 32 deaths and more than 700 injured.”
She said that data on the “hardest-hit region” of La Guaira, located near the capital was yet to be received, adding that 20 aftershocks had followed the twin earthquakes.
With new reports emerging, Rodríguez disclosed that the death toll had climbed to 164, leaving 971 persons injured, with search-and-rescue teams deployed throughout the devastated country.
She also stated on a social media post that the Maiquetia International Airport, located near Caracas, was closed due to “serious damage” to its infrastructure.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck the same area of Venezuela on Wednesday, causing buildings in the capital to crumble, forcing the closure of the country’s main airport.
Responding to the development, United States president Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Wednesday that the US was ready to render assistance to the country and its people.
“The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths.
“The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly,” Trump wrote.
USGS stated that the first quake, with an epicenter 21 kilometers (13 miles) west of the coastal town of Moron, occurred at 2204 GMT, with another 7.5-magnitude quake striking about 45 kilometers away in less than a minute of the first.
“This earthquake was the second event in a doublet. This magnitude 7.5 mainshock was preceded by 39 seconds by a 7.2 foreshock,” USGS said.
Meanwhile the Venezuelan interior minister Diosdado Cabello has asked people to leave their homes, noting that gas supplies to several buildings had been severed for safety and precautionary reasons.
“We have some damaged structures, and we don’t want any kind of accident involving gas to occur,” he said.
More updates later…
