Powerful earthquake in Venezuela: destruction, many victims

In Venezuela on Wednesday evening local time, two powerful earthquakes occurred, which led to numerous casualties and destruction.

The first earthquake of magnitude 7.2, whose epicenter was 160 km west of Caracas, was followed a minute later by an even more destructive earthquake of magnitude 7.5.

According to the latest government data, 32 people were killed, at least 700 were injured, and thousands were left homeless. The US Geological Survey assesses the consequences as catastrophic - the number of victims could exceed 10 thousand people. Numerous videos show large-scale destruction of residential multi-story buildings. People remain under the rubble, rescue efforts are underway. The country's main airport is closed.

US President Donald Trump announced his readiness to help Venezuela, writing on social networks about the “huge number of victims.” Spain and other countries have declared their readiness to help.

In January, the US military removed its authoritarian leader Nicolas Maduro from the country, after which relations between Caracas and Washington improved significantly - Trump says that the United States now actually controls Venezuela, although Maduro’s former associates remain in power there.