In Caracas on June 24, two consecutive earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 shook the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, followed by another stronger earthquake of magnitude 7.5 just a few kilometers away, leaving more than 165 dead and more than 1,000 injured.
While Venezuela was celebrating a national holiday, two consecutive earthquakes shook the ground. The first quake, measuring 7.2, occurred around 6 p.m. (Eastern Time), and an average of 100 aftershocks were felt, according to authorities. These figures are expected to rise due to the extensive damage across the South American country.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced on state television the closure of Caracas’ airport, which also suffered severe damage, the suspension of train service, and the cancellation of classes for several days. He added that the United Nations would send specialized personnel to support rescue efforts and that a $200 million fund would be created for the reconstruction of vital infrastructure and housing.
Survivors said that due to the two powerful earthquakes—the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century—it was like a scene from a horror movie.
