On the Scene | Two Major Earthquakes Strike Venezuela Within One Minute: Preliminary Death Toll Estimates Exceed 10,000

According to CCTV News Client and Xinhua News Agency, on the evening of the 24th local time, two earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher struck Venezuela within one minute, with strong tremors felt in the capital Caracas. Following the powerful quakes, Venezuela declared a national state of emergency. Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced on the 25th that the earthquakes had killed 32 people and injured 700.

USGS: Preliminary death toll estimates exceed 10,000

According to Xinhua, the US Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Hazards Program reported a magnitude 7.1 earthquake near Montalban, Venezuela, at a depth of 10 kilometers. Within less than a minute, a second quake of magnitude 7.5 struck at the same depth. The first earthquake's magnitude was later revised to 7.2.

The USGS Earthquake Hazards Program issued a Red Alert, predicting significant casualties and widespread destruction, with damage likely spreading across multiple areas. Economic losses are estimated to reach between 2% and 20% of Venezuela's GDP.

According to preliminary USGS estimates, the death toll is likely to range between 10,000 and 100,000.

Multiple building collapses due to earthquakes

Venezuelan Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, stated on the 24th via national television that the earthquakes affected multiple cities across the country, with numerous building collapses in eastern Caracas.

On the same day, Gustavo Duque, mayor of the Chacao municipality in Miranda state near Caracas, said on social media that two buildings in his city had collapsed. So far, 18 trapped victims have been rescued, and over 500 government personnel are carrying out rescue operations.

The earthquakes caused voltage instability and brief power outages in residential areas. Many residents gathered in open spaces for safety after the quakes struck.