media showed emergency responders climbing over flattened buildings while survivors desperately searched for missing family members.
Several hospitals also sustained damage, forcing medical staff to move patients outside while engineers evaluated building safety.
Caracas Faces One of Its Worst Modern Disasters
Although the earthquake’s epicenter lay west of the capital, Caracas experienced severe shaking.
Thousands of residents evacuated:
- Apartment complexes
- Hotels
- Office towers
- Shopping malls
- Schools
Witnesses described hearing loud cracking noises moments before buildings began collapsing.
Traffic quickly came to a standstill as frightened residents attempted to reach family members.
Emergency shelters soon opened across the capital for people whose homes became unsafe to occupy.
Massive Rescue Operations Underway
Search-and-rescue teams immediately began working throughout the night.
Operations include:
- Firefighters
- Military engineers
- Police units
- Medical personnel
- Volunteer rescue organizations
Heavy equipment has been deployed to remove concrete slabs while specially trained rescue dogs search for survivors buried beneath collapsed buildings.
Authorities say every hour remains critical, as trapped victims have the highest chance of survival during the first several days after a building collapse.
International offers of assistance have already begun arriving as neighboring countries prepare rescue teams and humanitarian aid.
Government Declares Emergency
Government officials declared a national emergency shortly after the earthquakes struck.
Emergency measures include:
- Mobilizing military resources.
- Opening emergency shelters.
- Suspending classes nationwide.
- Prioritizing medical supplies.
- Restoring electricity and communications.
- Coordinating international assistance.
Officials continue urging residents to remain alert because aftershocks remain possible for days or even weeks following such a powerful seismic event.
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