A large-scale earthquake has occurred in Venezuela. What is known

On the night of June 24, an earthquake of magnitude 7.1 occurred in the Venezuelan state of Yaracuy in the north of the country, which led to widespread destruction. Details of the incident can be found in the Izvestia article.

Earthquake consequences

According to the Reuters news agency, large-scale destruction is being observed in the capital, Caracas. Many people were at home celebrating a public holiday at the time of the disaster.

The country's Minister of the Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, announced the collapse of several residential buildings as a result of the disaster. According to him, the disaster affected the states of Trujillo, Yaracuy, Carabobo, Aragua, Miranda, as well as the capital district of Caracas and the city of La Guayra. The situation is particularly alarming in the Los Palos Grandes and Altamira areas in Caracas, which are considered earthquake-prone areas.

"Buildings, houses and residential buildings collapsed," the minister said.

After the first tremors, residents left the buildings, fearing repeated impacts of the elements. Cabello urged citizens not to return to the premises, as aftershocks can usually follow a strong earthquake.

According to the US Geological Survey, according to preliminary estimates, the death toll will range from 10,000 to 100,000 people. The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 160 km west of Caracas. As the service later reported, the cataclysm could cause economic damage ranging from 1 to 9% of Venezuela's gross domestic product.

After the earthquake, a state of emergency was imposed in the country, the Reuters news agency reported, citing an appeal from the authorized representative of the President of the Republic, Delcy Rodriguez. As a result of the cataclysm, the international airport of Maiqueti named after Simon Bolivar in Caracas also stopped working.

International reaction

The Russian Embassy in Venezuela has called on Russian citizens living in the country to observe security measures. The diplomatic mission recommended listening to the recommendations of the competent authorities, as well as preparing documents, money, first aid supplies, chargers, drinking water and necessary clothing in case of evacuation in advance.

President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele expressed his condolences to the Venezuelan people in connection with the devastation caused by the earthquake. He said that the country would send rescuers and necessary equipment to Venezuela after the earthquake.

"At the moment, we have offered assistance to the Venezuelan government through our Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the politician wrote on the social network.

He specified that 300 rescuers and paramedics, as well as 50 tons of equipment, medicines and necessary supplies are ready to go to Caracas.

US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said that the United States is mobilizing resources to help Venezuela.

"The United States stands with the Venezuelan people after tonight's devastating earthquakes. We are in touch with the authorities and are mobilizing help," he wrote on Twitter.