Rare doublet earthquake devastates coastal region
Two successive earthquakes — a magnitude 7.3 and a 7.0 — struck Venezuela within minutes of each other Wednesday evening, leaving at least 188 dead, more than 1,500 injured, and hundreds missing. The first tremor hit near the coastal city of La Guaira, while the second struck closer to the capital Caracas. Seismologists describe the event as an 'earthquake doublet,' where two large quakes occur in the same region in close succession.
Rescue operations under way amid aftershocks
Emergency crews are working through rubble in collapsed residential buildings, with dozens still unaccounted for. Hospitals in Caracas and La Guaira are overwhelmed with casualties. Venezuela's government has declared a state of emergency and deployed the military to assist in rescue and relief operations. International aid, including search teams from neighboring countries, is beginning to arrive.
Region faces compounding crises
Venezuela was already grappling with economic hardship and political uncertainty. The earthquakes now add a humanitarian crisis, with damaged infrastructure hampering rescue efforts. Power outages have been reported across multiple states. The US Geological Survey said aftershocks of up to magnitude 5.5 are likely in the coming days, complicating the search for survivors.