* Early modeling from the USGS estimates that the final death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000, while economic losses could amount to between 2 percent and 10 percent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product.
* With aftershocks continuing and rescue teams still combing through debris, officials warned that the number of casualties could rise further as access to the worst-hit areas improves and damage assessments continue.
by Xinhua Writers Tan Huiting and Tian Rui
CARACAS, June 25 (Xinhua) — A pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 235 people and trapping hundreds under the rubble, as rescuers searched through collapsed buildings to find survivors and international support poured in for the disaster-hit South American country.
The quakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The first one occurred at a depth of 20.3 km, followed by the second at 10 km, leaving at least 4,300 injured and 157 missing.
As of noon local time Thursday, the two quakes had triggered 138 aftershocks, Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said in a televised address. The government has declared several areas, including La Guaira state, disaster zones amid continuing aftershocks.
The USGS issued a red alert after the quakes, warning of major casualties, extensive damage and severe economic losses. Early modeling from the USGS estimates that the final death toll could reach between 10,000 and 100,000, while economic losses could amount to between 2 percent and 10 percent of Venezuela’s gross domestic product.
HEAVY CASUALTIES, URGENT RESCUE
Rodriguez said the quakes had damaged at least 346 buildings, including eight hospitals, some of which had been evacuated. Rescue teams were still searching for survivors in collapsed buildings, while heavy machinery had begun arriving at disaster sites to support rescue operations.
International rescue teams from several countries had arrived in Venezuela to assist with disaster relief, he said, calling on the public to donate relief supplies at collection points across the country.
La Guaira, a coastal state north of Caracas, is one of the worst-hit areas.
Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodriguez described the situation there as “a true tragedy,” saying dozens of buildings had collapsed and the state had suffered serious infrastructure damage. The Simon Bolivar International Airport, which serves Caracas and is located in La Guaira, has been closed due to structural damage.
Local residents told Xinhua that several high-rise buildings near the port area in La Guaira had collapsed, while waves triggered by the quakes flooded parts of nearby roads. Rescue work there was made more difficult by darkness and low visibility.
In Chacao, a municipality in Greater Caracas, Mayor Gustavo Duque said 11 people had been confirmed dead after three buildings collapsed and several others sustained structural damage. He said 23 people had been rescued from the rubble and efforts were underway to reach four others, while local health services had provided 320 emergency treatments.
Caracas Mayor Carmen Melendez said bodies had also been found during debris removal, without giving a figure. She said civil protection teams had been working without rest in hard-hit areas such as San Bernardino, where three buildings completely collapsed.
Meanwhile, Darwin Gonzalez, mayor of Baruta in Miranda state, said schools would remain closed until June 29 as damage assessments continued.
The state broadcaster Venezolana de Television said early Thursday that it had kept its signal on air despite serious damage to its facilities, including its main studio and key operational areas. A reduced team of journalists and technicians remained at work to ensure live coverage of the emergency, the broadcaster said.
Two Chinese nationals had been confirmed dead in Venezuela’s earthquakes as of 4 p.m. local time (2000 GMT) Thursday, according to the Chinese Embassy in Venezuela.
The Chinese embassy reminded Chinese citizens in the country to closely follow local earthquake warnings and disaster information, guard against aftershocks and secondary disasters, stay away from coastal areas when necessary, keep communication devices working and contact the embassy in case of emergency.
FEAR ON THE GROUND
In Caracas, fear lingered long after the shaking stopped.
Xinhua correspondents based in eastern Caracas said doors and windows shook violently when the tremor hit at around 6 p.m. local time (2200 GMT), while a bookshelf toppled and glassware shattered indoors. The quake also caused voltage fluctuations and brief power outages in the residential area.
Security guard Luis Mijares said he was frightened by the sudden shaking.
“Luckily, the guard booth is small, so I could get out quickly,” he told Xinhua, adding that television signals were abruptly interrupted during the quake.
Videos circulating on social media showed collapsed buildings in downtown Caracas and clouds of dust rising above the city. Other images showed police and rescuers searching through rubble for possible survivors.
With aftershocks continuing through the night, many Venezuelans chose to sleep on the streets or inside their cars from early Thursday, fearing further damage to buildings.
The epicenter was near the city of San Felipe in Yaracuy state, according to Venezuela’s seismological agency, Funvisis. The earthquakes knocked out public services and disrupted daily life across the area.
Zoraya Parra, a 57-year-old resident of Chivacoa in Bruzual municipality, east of San Felipe, told Xinhua that the shaking was intense.
“It felt strong here in Chivacoa. I was in the kitchen when I felt as if I were surfing, moving from left to right and back again,” she said.
Parra said she was with her father when the quake hit. The two went out into the street to wait for the aftershocks to pass and for authorities to inspect the area. Before the shaking began, she said, an alert had sounded on her phone with a notification of a quake.
“It was a big scare,” she said.
Siomer Hidalgo, a librarian and archivist from San Felipe, said she was preparing dinner with her husband and mother when the tremor began. The three stayed together under a door frame before moving to a nearby open space and then into the street to try to contact other family members.
“But there was no signal, no communication, and the electricity went out immediately,” Hidalgo said, adding that many elderly residents in the area were waiting anxiously for relatives because “it was truly horrible.”
In Ciudad Tiuna, a densely populated community in southeast Caracas, residents rushed down stairways after the strong tremor jolted their homes. Many later gathered in open sports areas and parking lots in anticipation of possible aftershocks.
Blanca Gonzalez, who lives on the sixth floor with her 81-year-old father, said the quake terrified her.
“Everything was shaking very hard, and I had to make sure my father, who uses a wheelchair, was safe,” she told Xinhua. “There was a very loud noise. I was very nervous and the neighbors were shouting, but they also helped us carry my father down the stairs.”
Omaira Ramos, a 54-year-old nurse, said residents helped older people and those with disabilities move to safer areas despite the fear.
“Fortunately, many people in the community know the basic anti-seismic rules and helped others stay calm,” Ramos said, adding that residents tried to remain in open areas away from high-rise buildings.
GLOBAL SUPPORT RALLIES
As Venezuela grappled with the disaster, expressions of sympathy and offers of assistance poured in from around the world.
China is ready to do what it can to assist in light of Venezuela’s needs, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Thursday.
“China has noted the reports about the earthquakes and offers its sympathies to the Venezuelan government and the affected population. We believe that under the leadership of the Venezuelan government, its people will recover and rebuild soon,” Guo said at a regular press briefing.
In a televised address to the nation early Thursday, acting President Delcy Rodriguez briefed Venezuelans on the damage caused by the earthquakes and called for national unity in the disaster response. She thanked the Chinese government for its willingness to assist Venezuela.
Some governments across Latin America and the Caribbean have also offered support.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he had asked the foreign ministry to assess the situation with Brazil’s embassy in Caracas and consider possible assistance. Argentina expressed readiness to provide humanitarian support in coordination with relevant international organizations.
The leaders of Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile and Uruguay voiced solidarity with Venezuela. Ecuador said it had ordered an immediate dispatch of humanitarian aid, while Chile said it was ready to coordinate humanitarian assistance and rescue teams with the Venezuelan government.
The Dominican Republic said specialized search, rescue and emergency response teams would depart for Venezuela, while El Salvador offered a contingent of 300 rescuers and paramedics as well as 50 tonnes of equipment.
The foreign ministries of Peru and Panama also expressed support, while Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez sent a message of solidarity. The Latin American and Caribbean Economic System said it stood ready to support Venezuela’s national efforts to respond to the emergency.
Delcy Rodriguez thanked the countries and organizations that had expressed solidarity with Venezuela, saying such support reflected the bonds of cooperation between Caracas and the international community.
With aftershocks continuing and rescue teams still combing through debris, officials warned that the number of casualties could rise further as access to the worst-hit areas improves and damage assessments continue.
