enezuela remains on high alert after twin powerful earthquakes struck the country within a minute of each other, causing widespread destruction and raising fears that the eventual death toll could be far higher than current official figures suggest.
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit near the coastal city of Morón and sent strong tremors across much of the country. Buildings swayed and collapsed in several cities, including the capital Caracas, forcing thousands of residents to flee into the streets as panic spread.
Adding to concerns, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) issued a preliminary impact assessment indicating that the final death toll could range from 10,000 to as high as 100,000 in a worst-case scenario. Such estimates are based on the earthquake’s strength, population density in affected regions, building vulnerability and historical disaster patterns. Experts stress that these figures are projections, not confirmed casualties.
Emergency teams have been working around the clock to search through debris, rescue survivors and provide medical aid to the injured. Hospitals in several regions remain under pressure as they deal with a growing number of patients, while temporary shelters have been opened for families displaced by the disaster.
The Venezuelan government has declared a state of emergency and mobilised national resources to support rescue and recovery operations. International assistance is also being offered, with several countries expressing readiness to provide humanitarian aid, medical supplies and specialist search-and-rescue teams.
Residents described scenes of chaos as homes, offices and public buildings suffered damage. Many spent the night outdoors fearing powerful aftershocks, while anxious families continued searching for missing relatives.
For now, uncertainty surrounds the true scale of the disaster. As rescue teams gain access to remote and heavily damaged areas, authorities are expected to provide a clearer picture of casualties and destruction in the coming days. The immediate priority remains saving lives and helping communities begin the difficult process of recovery.
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