CARACUS: Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck near the capital, Caracas, within seconds of each other, causing widespread damage and the collapse of several multi-storey buildings.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced the emergency measures after the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, was followed moments later by a stronger 7.5 tremor.
Rescue teams have been deployed across affected areas and are searching through the rubble for survivors. Authorities have also closed the country’s main international airport after it suffered significant structural damage during the earthquakes.
Rodríguez offered condolences to those affected but did not provide details on the number of casualties. The United States Geological Survey warned that the disaster is likely to have caused extensive damage and a high number of deaths and injuries.
The earthquakes struck at 18:04 local time (23:04 BST) on a national holiday, when many Venezuelans were likely to have been at home.
The epicentre was located west of Caracas, but the tremors were felt across much of Venezuela and were reported as far away as Bogota in neighbouring Colombia.
Emergency services remain on high alert as authorities assess the full extent of the damage and continue search-and-rescue operations in the affected areas.
(Inputs from Reuters)
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