The Petunia residential building in Los Palos Grandes collapsed along with many others across Caracas after the powerful earthquakes that shook northern Venezuela on Wednesday.
The collapse forced evacuations from nearby residential and commercial buildings in the Chacao municipality, as emergency crews cordoned off the area and searched for survivors.
Chacao Mayor Gustavo Duque said rescue teams were working through the rubble, with hundreds of officials deployed at the scene.
“We are in Palos Grandes, where a fault runs through that unfortunately caused two buildings to collapse completely. <…> There are 500 officials working to rescue people. Fortunately, we have already rescued 18 residents alive,” the mayor reported.
Authorities also set up assistance points at Plaza Altamira and Plaza de Los Palos Grandes, where evacuees were offered medical support, water and basic services while inspections continued.
“There we have doctors, paramedics, water resources, and bathrooms so we can respond to this emergency. We also tell people that if they do not need to come to Palos Grandes, please do not come at this time,” said the mayor.
The US Geological Survey reported two powerful quakes striking northern Venezuela within seconds of each other, first a magnitude 7.2 tremor, followed by a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake. The epicentres were reported near Moron, west of Caracas, at shallow depths.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said emergency situations had been reported in Caracas, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Trujillo and La Guaira.
International media reported at least 32 people killed and around 700 injured, with authorities warning that the toll could rise as rescue and damage assessments continue.
The last comparable earthquake in Venezuela struck in 2018, when a magnitude 7.3 quake near Sucre state was felt across parts of South America and the Caribbean.
Source: Viory
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