At least 32 killed in Venezuela earthquake, toll could rise to 100,000

[Financial News] A series of powerful earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher struck near Venezuela's capital on the 24th (local time), killing at least 32 people and injuring 700. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the death toll could reach as high as 100,000, putting the probability at 40%.
In a national address on state broadcaster Venezolana de Televisión (VTV) that evening, Venezuela's interim president Delcy Rodríguez said, "So far, 32 deaths have been confirmed, and more than 700 victims have been admitted to emergency rooms at public hospitals and private medical centers." Rodríguez said, "Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are working hard to save the lives that God has allowed us to rescue." She added that La Guaira State, the coastal area of the capital region between Caracas and the Caribbean Sea, was "facing a true tragedy" and had become a disaster zone.
According to the USGS, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck around 6:04 p.m. off the western coast of Moron, a Caribbean city 168 kilometers west of Caracas. The quake occurred at a depth of 21.9 kilometers. Just 39 seconds later, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed at a depth of 10 kilometers, about 45 kilometers southwest of the first epicenter.
The day was a national holiday in Venezuela, Battle of Carabobo Day, and many residents were at home when the earthquakes hit. Rodríguez said on state television that about 20 aftershocks had been recorded and declared a national emergency. Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said the tremors were felt in several states. He added that a "concerning situation" had occurred in Altamira, Caracas, where homes and buildings collapsed.
Earlier, the USGS said the number of deaths was likely to fall between 10,000 and 100,000, warning that "massive loss of life and large-scale property damage are highly likely." It estimated a 3% chance of 100 to 1,000 deaths, 22% for 1,000 to 10,000, 30% for 10,000 to 100,000, and 14% for more than 100,000. It also estimated Venezuela's economic losses from the disaster at 2% to 20% of gross domestic product (GDP).
Tsunami warnings were briefly issued for neighboring Puerto Rico, as well as the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, but were lifted about an hour later. According to the USGS, a major earthquake in Caracas and the western Venezuelan region of Merida in March 1812 is estimated to have killed about 30,000 people.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros, who is detained in the United States, said on Telegram on the 24th, "Venezuela has overcome countless trials, and we will overcome this one as well with faith, discipline and solidarity." On the same day, U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, "The United States is ready to help, wants to help, and is able to help," adding, "I have instructed every agency in our government to be ready to move quickly." Rodríguez thanked Trump and said, "Rescue teams from other countries will arrive in Venezuela within hours."


pjw@fnnews.com Park Jong-won Reporter