Venezuela Devastated by Earthquakes: Rodriguez Announces Tragic Toll

Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez announced that at least 32 people have been killed and over 700 injured in the devastating double earthquakes that struck the country. Authorities warned citizens of a tsunami threat along the coastal areas.Venezuela was rocked by two major earthquakes in a row. According to a statement by the US Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake occurred 16 kilometers from Moron city, and the second 24 kilometers from San Felipe city, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, respectively.US seismologists shared a concerning projection, emphasizing the scale of destruction in the region. Analysis suggests that, considering the intensity of the quakes and the condition of the building stock, there is a 30% chance that the death toll could exceed 100,000. A state of emergency has been declared in the country, with search and rescue operations ongoing.Meanwhile, in the same time frame as the Venezuelan disaster, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake was also recorded in northeastern Japan, felt in Tokyo and the southern Kuril Islands, Russia. No tsunami warning was issued, and Japanese authorities reported no casualties or damage so far.