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Venezuela has announced that a emergency situation after two strong earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people.
A major search and rescue operation is underway after these earthquakes destroyed many people, especially in the city of Caracas.
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Emergency workers are searching for debris from collapsed buildings, while authorities have closed the airport in Caracas, suspended training and mobilized medical personnel to respond to the disaster.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) warned that “severe casualties and extensive damage are expected” and US President Donald Trump said the earthquake – one of the strongest in more than a century – had left a “death toll”.
This is what we know
What happened in Venezuela?
Venezuela was hit by two strong earthquakes around 6:04pm local time (22:04 GMT) on Wednesday, as the country observed a national holiday commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo.
The state declared a state of emergency as emergency workers responded to the damage. In a televised address, acting president Delcy Rodriguez urged doctors, nurses and other health workers to report quickly to hospitals and clinics to help the injured.
Reporting from Bogota in neighboring Colombia, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo said the worst damage was reported in Caracas, particularly in the Altamira district, where emergency workers rescued survivors from the rubble of a 22-storey building while relatives searched for their missing loved ones. Officials say the damage is still being assessed.
What do we know about the victims and the death rate?
Former Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez said at least 32 people were killed and about 700 injured in the earthquake, which was followed by about a dozen aftershocks.
Authorities have not yet released the number of victims by age, gender or location, and officials say the number is expected to rise as the search and rescue operation continues.
The neighborhoods of Altamira and El Paraíso in Caracas were the worst affected by the earthquakes. Damage has also been reported in La Guaira and other areas in central Venezuela.
The USGS has warned that the final death toll could be much higher because most of the buildings in the affected area are made of adobe construction, which is more vulnerable to strong earthquakes.
His latest PAGER study estimates a 39 percent chance of deaths occurring between 1,000 and 10,000, and a 37 percent chance of dying between 10,000 and 100,000. These are statistics intended to assist in emergency management and are not confirmed for casualties.
Where were the epicenters?
The two earthquakes originated in Yaracuy, west of Caracas according to the US Geological Survey. First, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake, which struck at a depth of 22km, was followed within a minute by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake at a depth of 10km.
Although the disaster was outside the capital, the tremors were felt throughout Caracas and many areas of central and western Venezuela, including the areas of Carabobo, Miranda, La Guaira and Trujillo. Earthquakes were also reported in neighboring Colombia and further afield in the Amazon region of Brazil, more than 1,700km (1,050 miles) from Caracas.
What has been the result?
The two earthquakes wreaked havoc across Venezuela, toppling homes, destroying infrastructure and sending people into the streets in panic. Rodriguez said several countries have been affected by these earthquakes.
The government closed the Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas due to the damage, suspended classes for several days and urged people to remain calm.
Search and rescue operations are still underway in the affected areas as authorities continue to assess the extent of the damage. Experts have also warned that strong earthquakes will stop in the coming days.
What have nations done?
Governments across the Americas have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and have begun to mobilize humanitarian aid following the two earthquakes.
United States: President Trump said the US “will be ready, willing, and able to help!” “I have advised all the institutions of our government to prepare for the evacuation as soon as possible.
Earlier Trump administration officials said Washington would send search and rescue teams, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid.
El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele said the country is preparing to send 300 rescuers and medics, along with 50 tons of medical supplies and emergency equipment.
Ecuador and Panama: Both governments announced humanitarian aid, with Ecuador’s president, Daniel Noboa, saying people’s concerns must come first despite political differences.
Mexico and Brazil: The two countries expressed solidarity with Venezuela and said they are closely monitoring the situation, adding that there are no reports of their citizens being affected.
