Caracus, 25 June (H.S.): Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday evening, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency after significant damage was reported across several regions of the country.

According to preliminary seismic assessments, the first earthquake measured 7.2 in magnitude and occurred west of the town of Morón, approximately 168 kilometres west of the capital, Caracas. The quake originated at a depth of about 22 kilometres. Just one minute later, a second and even stronger earthquake, measuring 7.5 in magnitude, struck southwest of Morón at a depth of around 10 kilometres.

The twin tremors were felt across large parts of Venezuela, causing panic among residents and damaging buildings and public infrastructure. Emergency services were deployed to assess the extent of the destruction and assist affected communities.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez announced a state of emergency following the earthquakes. She confirmed that multiple states had suffered damage but said authorities were still evaluating the situation. No official figures regarding casualties, injuries, or the number of damaged buildings had been released at the time of reporting.

One of the most significant impacts was reported at Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela's principal international gateway. Authorities temporarily shut down airport operations after parts of the facility reportedly sustained structural damage. Emergency inspections were launched to determine when normal operations could resume.

Government agencies, disaster-response teams, and local authorities have begun coordinated relief and assessment efforts. Schools and some public services in affected areas were suspended as a precaution while engineers evaluated the safety of buildings and critical infrastructure.

Seismologists noted that the earthquakes rank among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, raising concerns about potential aftershocks. Residents in several regions were advised to remain vigilant and follow official safety instructions.

Authorities said damage assessments and rescue operations would continue throughout Thursday as emergency teams worked to restore services and determine the full impact of the disaster.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar