On Wednesday evening (local time), two earthquakes measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck near Venezuela’s capital, Caracas.
Venezuela’s Health Minister said the death toll has risen to 235, but warned it could climb into the thousands as rescue teams continue searching through the rubble.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it is “possible Australians are caught up in it, ”but there has been no official confirmation.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Venezuela sits near the boundary between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes. Over the past decade, the country has recorded 46 earthquakes measuring magnitude 5.0 or higher.
At around 6pm on Wednesday (local time), two powerful earthquakes struck about 160km west of the capital, Caracas.
The first measured magnitude 7.2 and is now considered a foreshock. Just 39 seconds later, a magnitude 7.5 mainshock struck around five to 10km away.
Update
On Thursday evening, Health Minister Carlos Alvarado said at least 235 people had died and more than 4,300 had been injured.
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The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.
Late on Thursday (local time), the U.S. Geological Survey estimated the number of fatalities could ultimately reach between 10,000 and 100,000, based on the earthquakes’ magnitude, location and the affected population.
Venezuela’s public health system has activated emergency protocols.
Rescue teams have arrived or are on their way from countries including El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, Switzerland and the U.S.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, who was appointed after the U.S. captured Nicolás Maduro in January, visited affected parts of the country and said: “We hope to recover the largest number of people alive.”
A website called Desaparecidos Terremoto Venezuela, or Disappeared Earthquake, was set up after the disaster to help locate missing people and currently has 50,000 registrations.
Australia
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said Australia is providing humanitarian aid through the UN and Red Cross.
A DFAT spokesperson said the department was providing consular support to a small number of Australians affected by the earthquakes, but could not comment further.
Speaking to ABC on Friday morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said it was possible Australians had been caught up in the disaster.
