32 dead, 700 hurt in earthquakes that hit Venezuela

Two strong earthquakes have hit Venezuela, killing at least 32 people and injuring around 700 others, according to reports from the BBC.

The first quake struck Caracas, the capital, at 18:04 local time (22:04 GMT). Many people were at home when it happened, as noted by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Witnesses shared with Reuters that they felt the tremors from the 7.1-magnitude quake even in nearby Bogotá, Colombia.

The second quake hit about 23 kilometers southeast of Yumare in Venezuela.

This is not the first time Caracas has experienced a serious earthquake. In 1967, a 6.6-magnitude quake killed over 200 people and caused major damage in the Palos Grandes and Altamira neighborhoods.

Both of these areas were affected by Wednesday's earthquakes. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello told state television that buildings collapsed in those neighborhoods.

Just like in the 1967 disaster, residents reported feeling two strong tremors.

The USGS warned that the earthquakes could result in heavy casualties and widespread damage, especially in the capital and the surrounding areas.

According to the agency, “the disaster is likely widespread” and strong aftershocks could still happen.

The USGS estimates a 44 percent chance that the death toll could rise above 10,000, and a 30 percent chance that fatalities could exceed 100,000. They also warned about a significant risk of landslides and ground liquefaction.

Liquefaction happens when loose, water-saturated soil loses strength and acts like a flowing mass, similar to a landslide.

Rescue operations are ongoing. Venezuela’s acting President, Delcy Rodríguez, has declared a state of emergency after the earthquakes.

Speaking to the nation, alongside Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and her brother, Jorge Rodríguez, who leads the National Assembly, she appointed a general to oversee the country's emergency response.

Ms Rodríguez has been acting president since January when her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, was taken into US custody and sent to New York to face drug-trafficking charges.

In her speech, she called on Venezuelans to stay united and expressed sympathy for families who lost loved ones in the earthquakes, but she did not provide the exact number of deaths.

The interior minister urged people in the affected areas to leave their homes as a safety measure, according to AFP.

He mentioned that fuel supplies to several buildings had been turned off to reduce the risk of further incidents after the earthquake.

“We have some damaged structures, and we don’t want any kind of accident involving gas to occur,” the minister stated.