A ‘seismic doublet’ shakes Venezuela: What were the earthquakes magnitude? Have there been any fatalities?

In the middle of Wednesday afternoon in Venezuela, the ground began shaking across the South American nation. Two powerful earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 and occurring just 39 seconds apart, struck several regions of the country. The epicenter was located northwest of the town of Montalbán, in Carabobo State, though the tremors were also felt in Caracas, approximately 186 miles away.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency. Meanwhile, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that the event was a “seismic doublet,” a phenomenon in which two major earthquakes occur within seconds of each other in the same area. The twin quakes were followed by roughly 20 aftershocks.

According to the first official reports, at least 32 people have been killed and 700 injured. These figures do not include La Guaira, a state near Caracas that suffered the most severe damage and has been designated a disaster zone. Videos circulating on social media show multiple buildings collapsing in Caracas, Trujillo, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, and La Guaira.

“A seismic event has occurred that all indications suggest exceeded magnitude 7,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said in an initial statement. The tremors caused part of the roof at Maiquetía International Airport near Caracas to collapse, forcing the cancellation of all flights. Power outages have also been reported in La Guaira and Caracas, while metro and rail services have been suspended.

U.S. officials fear tens of thousands of casualties

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which monitors and documents earthquakes worldwide, estimates that the twin earthquakes could result in a very high death toll and that the disaster’s impact will be widespread.

According to the agency’s assessment, significant property damage is expected in Puerto Cabello, San Felipe, and Ocumare de la Costa, three of the areas most severely affected by the earthquakes. The quakes originated at a depth of approximately 8.2 miles below the surface.

Based on the intensity of the shaking, the size of the exposed population, and the vulnerability of local buildings, officials have not ruled out a scenario involving between 10,000 and 100,000 casualties. The agency has issued an orange alert due to the anticipated human and economic impact of the disaster.

*Developing story

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