Pakistani Leaders Condole Venezuela Earthquake Losses
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed profound grief over the fatalities and destruction caused by powerful earthquakes in Venezuela. Both leaders issued separate condolences, extending sympathy to the affected families as well as the Venezuelan government and people during this challenging period.
The Pakistani leaders affirmed the nation’s solidarity with Venezuela, emphasizing that Pakistan stands with the victims and shares their sorrow in the aftermath of the disaster.
Venezuela’s interim leader declared a state of emergency on Wednesday following two severe earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 that struck close to each other. The earthquakes led to the collapse of several buildings in Caracas, the country’s capital, and resulted in the closure of the main international airport.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the initial 7.2 magnitude quake was quickly followed by a stronger 7.5 magnitude tremor less than a minute later, both affecting similar regions. These events were accompanied by nearly 20 aftershocks, causing widespread panic among residents.
Eyewitness reports from the capital describe significant structural damage including collapsed walls, fallen debris, and broken staircases, intensifying the fear among citizens who took to the streets for safety. Some individuals sustained injuries, though the exact number of casualties remained uncertain as rescue efforts were ongoing.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed the injuries and building collapses, while reporters noted especially severe damage in the Altamira neighborhood, where a 22-storey building was completely destroyed. Volunteers and residents urgently sought rescue equipment such as flashlights to assist in relief operations.
These back-to-back major quakes represent a rare seismic doublet, with the smaller foreshock preceding the larger mainshock by merely 39 seconds, according to USGS data. Emergency response initiatives were promptly activated following the events as authorities continue to assess the full scale of the disaster.