Twin earthquakes of 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes killed 32 people and injured more than 700 in Venezuela. Buildings collapsed, rescue operations are ongoing and the death toll is expected to rise.
Caracas: A public holiday celebrating the historic 1821 military victory that secured Venezuela’s independence from Spain instantly turned into the deadliest mourning in the country’s history. Due to the holiday, millions of people were relaxing in their homes, when suddenly on Wednesday, the apocalypse started from within the earth. Interim President Delsey Rodriguez has confirmed to the Associated Press (AP) that at least 32 people have died tragically so far in this horrific disaster, while more than 700 people are seriously injured. But an inside statement from the authorities has left the world holding its breath – as rescue teams enter deeper into the debris and into more affected areas, the number could rise to a terrifying record.
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Two mega-hits within 60 seconds: When ‘doublet’ sucked the life of cities
According to Reuters, the cause of this catastrophe was not a normal earthquake, but two super-earthquakes that occurred back-to-back, which did not even give the security systems a chance to think:
- first strike: The first massive aftershock, measuring 7.2, struck suddenly about 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Caracas.
- Second great attack: Before people could recover, in less than a minute a second earthquake of magnitude 7.5 and more powerful than the first occurred.
Due to this ‘seismic doublet’, the capital Caracas and its surrounding areas collapsed like a deck of cards. The warning of the US Geological Survey (USGS) on this horrifying scene has given goosebumps to the entire world. According to preliminary digital models of the USGS, the final death toll from this disaster could range from 10,000 to 1,00,000 (1 lakh), considering the spread of debris and population density.
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Night shift doubled in hospital; Families crying for their loved ones near the debris
Even after dusk, a war-like situation persists on the streets of Caracas. Crowds of crying families are gathered all around amid dust, smoke and concrete debris. People are trying to remove the debris with bare hands so that they can get any news of their children and relatives buried below. “Many high-rise buildings and residential houses have been razed to the ground. We have thrown all the country’s available resources for security and civilian assistance into this mega-rescue operation,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said live on state television.
Here, given the horrific number of injured, there is no space left in the major hospitals of Caracas. According to Reuters, the management of ‘Hospital de Clínicas’ has issued an order to immediately double the night shift, putting all its doctors and nursing staff on emergency alert, so that the blood-soaked victims coming from all sides can be saved.
Scene of doom in Chacao: 18 lives saved, 15 adults still missing
The most brutal face of the devastation was seen in the Chacao municipality of Caracas. Mayor Gustavo Duque said that after the earthquake, many skyscrapers collapsed onto the streets. It was a matter of relief that the rescue teams miraculously rescued 18 people safely from a big building that was reduced to debris. The mayor has warned that the continuous ‘aftershocks’ can collapse the weakened structures at any time, so people should immediately move to open grounds and public squares. On the other hand, Governor Victor Clark has shared a very scary report from the coastal state of Falcon, where 22 people are seriously injured and 15 adult citizens are mysteriously missing, for whom search dogs are engaged.
Emergency imposed in the country: Maiketiya International Airport completely stalled
Interim President Delsey Rodriguez has declared a ‘National Emergency’ throughout Venezuela and has appealed for immediate large-scale economic assistance from global and multilateral organizations to recover from this catastrophe. The country’s largest and main airport, ‘Miketia International Airport’ has been completely damaged due to the violent tremors of the earthquake, due to which all national and international flights have been suspended and the airport has been closed.
Concern increased due to tsunami alert, relief again
As a precaution, energy companies have halted work at the country’s sensitive oil infrastructure and refineries to begin counting staff and conducting safety checks, although it is a relief that there was no immediate damage to oil reserves. After this earthquake, the American Tsunami Warning System issued a high-alert of tsunami for Puerto Rico, US and British Virgin Islands, which was withdrawn after an hour after intensive monitoring of sea level. School-college classes have been canceled for the next several days in Venezuela. To save the lives buried under the debris, the rescue operation is going on with the help of search lights even in the harsh night.