3 minutes agoPowerful earthquakes shake Venezuela, suspected of thousands of victims
Periskopi(3 hours ago)
(3 hours ago)Powerful earthquakes struck the western part of Venezuela, near the country's capital, Caracas, on Wednesday afternoon, destroying buildings, blocking people under the rubble, and warning scientists of numerous victims and major disasters throughout the South American country.
An earthquake of 7.2 magnitude struck about 100 miles (100 km) west of Calca, followed by a quake of 7.5 magnitudes, according to the U.S. Geological Service (USGS).
Vulnerable “Victures and major damage are possible, while the disaster is most likely to be widespread,” said USGS, initially praising that the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.
Authorities did not immediately give a national balance to the dead or wounded, but local officials and witnesses reported collapsed buildings, rescue operations and an increasing number of those injured.
“We have buildings, dwellings and houses that have collapsed and are facing the situation with everything we have available in terms of security and civil aid,” Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on state television. “Fireman, police, all active. ”
Film footage showed emergency workers passing through the ruins of a collapsed building in the capital as night fell, while desperate relatives sought help for loved ones suspected of being trapped.
In Chacao, a municipality east of Macau, Mayor Gustavo Duque told broadcaster Globovision that two structures had collapsed, 16 people were injured and there were victims, although he did not give a figure for the death toll.
We will do everything we can to save as many people as possible,” he said.
