Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, has announced a state of emergency after the country was struck by powerful back-to-back earthquakes, levelling buildings in the capital, Caracas, and prompting fears of mass casualties.
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck near San Felipe, about 284km (176 miles) west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT on Wednesday, followed almost immediately by a magnitude 7.5 quake near Yumare, about 293km (182 miles) west of the capital, according to the US Geological Survey.
In an address to the nation late on Wednesday, Acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency as authorities continued to assess the extent of the damage.
“We ask the population to remain calm and united,” she said on state TV.
Rodríguez said the country’s main airport had been closed after suffering “severe damage” and announced that the metro and train systems had been halted. “We send our immediate condolences to those who have lost relatives,” Rodríguez added, although she did not say how many casualties or fatalities there had been.
Rodríguez urged citizens to evacuate damaged buildings.Rodriguez did not provide any information on injuries or fatalities.
The US Geological Survey estimated that casualties could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.
Many Venezuelans were at home when the earthquakes struck because Wednesday was a public holiday marking a decisive 1821 battle in Venezuela’s war of independence from Spain. (Al Jazeera)