Caracas, 25 June (H.S.):

Two powerful earthquakes that struck Venezuela late Wednesday night caused widespread devastation across the country, leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 700 injured, according to Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. Authorities cautioned that the death toll could rise significantly, as complete information has yet to be received from some of the worst-affected regions. A nationwide state of emergency has been declared, and rescue operations are continuing.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India stands ready to provide all possible assistance to Venezuela. Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on Thursday that China would do whatever it could to assist Venezuela in accordance with its needs.

According to reports citing the United States Geological Survey and other international media outlets, the first earthquake, measuring 7.1 in magnitude, struck at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time on Wednesday. Just one minute later, a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the same region. Both quakes were centered near the coastal city of Morón, about 160 kilometers west of Caracas. With a shallow depth of only 10 kilometers, the earthquakes caused exceptionally severe destruction.

The worst damage was reported in the northern coastal state of La Guaira, which the government has officially declared a disaster zone. Dozens of buildings collapsed, while disruptions to communication networks in several areas have hampered relief and rescue efforts.

In Caracas and surrounding areas, multiple high-rise buildings also collapsed. Emergency responders have been carrying out continuous operations to rescue people trapped beneath the rubble. Local residents described the scenes as resembling “something out of a horror film.”

According to a preliminary assessment by the USGS, the eventual death toll could rise dramatically. Meanwhile, an opposition-backed website has reported that more than 6,600 people are missing.

The Venezuelan government has declared a nationwide emergency. All schools and non-essential activities have been suspended until further notice. Several schools are being converted into relief supply collection centers and temporary shelters for displaced residents. For safety reasons, services on the Caracas Metro and certain railway lines have also been temporarily suspended.

International assistance has already begun arriving. Qatar has dispatched rescue teams, while relief personnel from Mexico and El Salvador are also expected to reach the affected areas. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa has directed the delivery of humanitarian aid.

In addition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s readiness to extend assistance, while Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Beijing would provide all possible support. U.S. President Donald Trump stated in a social media post that the United States was prepared and capable of assisting in the disaster response.

The United Nations’ Venezuela Human Rights Mission has urged the government to lift local restrictions on social media platforms, describing access to information as “a matter of life and death.” Social media services have already been restored in some affected regions.

Separately, Venezuela’s Ministry of Education announced that several schools would be converted into relief collection centers, while state television reported that additional educational institutions would be used as temporary shelters for those displaced by the disaster. Authorities had also temporarily suspended operations on the Caracas Metro and the railway line connecting Caracas with Miranda State as a precautionary measure.

All non-essential activities across the country have been suspended for the remainder of the week as Venezuela continues to grapple with one of the most destructive natural disasters in its recent history.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar