Magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 Earthquakes Occur Within 1 Minute, Venezuela Shakes the World

(Central News Agency, Caracas, August 24, Comprehensive Foreign News) Central Venezuela was hit by two earthquakes of magnitude 7 or higher tonight, which may be the largest earthquake Venezuela has experienced since 1900. Earthquakes also occurred in the United States and Japan before and after the Venezuelan earthquake. Experts say there is no indication that these earthquakes are related to each other.

According to NBC News, in the capital Caracas, people evacuated buildings and stayed outdoors. Many witnessed entire walls collapse, with clear expressions of fear on their faces. Dust rose from restaurants and commercial areas in some usually bustling streets.

The New York Times quoted the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as stating that less than a minute after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurred at approximately 6:04 p.m. local time on the 24th, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake occurred. The epicenter of both earthquakes was near San Felipe, a town of about 220,000 people in Yaracuy State in central Venezuela, about 320 kilometers west of the capital Caracas. The depths of the earthquakes were 13 and 10 kilometers, respectively.

The USGS's preliminary report described the earthquake as a "severe seismic doublet sequence" (meaning two earthquakes of similar magnitude and extreme intensity occurring in close time and adjacent space. Two earthquakes usually trigger their own aftershocks, which are more destructive than the aftershocks accompanying a single main shock). The magnitude of the earthquakes may be revised later.

Many people in the affected areas live in unreinforced brick buildings and adobe houses, which are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. The USGS's preliminary estimate suggests that the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.

Josefina Hernandez, a 48-year-old civil servant living in Valencia, a city west of Caracas, said she first heard a deafening roar, followed immediately by a power outage, and everything in her house was shaking. "You want to run, but you can't move. People were panicked, screaming constantly, it was truly terrifying. Everyone rushed out of their houses, shouting, 'What is this?'"

National guardsmen, police, and civil defense personnel in Venezuela climbed on collapsed buildings, calling out the names of the missing and asking onlookers to be quiet so that those trapped could hear the rescuers.

Videos circulating on social media show that inside the international airport in Maiquetia, near Caracas, the terminal building shook violently during the earthquake, and passengers fled.

The Times pointed out that this earthquake quickly reminded many Venezuelans of the 1967 earthquake. That earthquake heavily damaged Caracas and caused more than 200 deaths.

About 7 hours before the Venezuelan earthquake, a magnitude 5.6 earthquake occurred in northern California, USA. About half an hour after the Venezuelan earthquake, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred off the coast of Japan in Asia. No casualties were reported in the earthquakes in the United States and Japan; experts say there is no indication that these earthquakes are related to each other.

The Times also pointed out that since the arrest of then-Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January of this year, the Trump administration has played a key role in Venezuela's domestic affairs. Whether and to what extent the United States will participate in relief and recovery efforts this time will be an indicator of the Trump administration's commitment to Venezuela.

Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez announced a brief national televised address on the evening of the 24th, declaring a state of emergency and expressing condolences to the survivors. The international airport in Maiquetia was closed due to damage, and its reopening time will be announced later.

Rodriguez thanked several countries that contacted Venezuela to express solidarity and support, including the United States.

Rodriguez revealed that Venezuela may seek assistance from multilateral institutions for reconstruction. "Several multilateral financial institutions have contacted us and expressed their willingness to provide support to Venezuela." She also said that Venezuela has recently begun to repair its relationship with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). (Compiled by Chen Yi-wei) 1150625

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