FLASH
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A grave tragedy struck Venezuela after two powerful earthquakes struck in quick succession in the early hours of Thursday.
Authorities have released the first figures on the number of victims and injured. According to preliminary data, at least 32 people lost their lives and about 700 were injured, but there are fears that the number of victims will increase significantly, international media report, referring to local authorities.
The country's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, along with Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello and National Assembly Speaker Jorge Rodriguez, addressed the nation officially declaring the country under a state of emergency, while appointing a general to oversee operations.
Earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale struck Venezuela within seconds.
The epicenter was northwest of the municipality of Montalban, in the state of Carabobo in central Venezuela.
The quake also struck the capital Caracas, about 300 kilometers east of the epicenter. The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said the two quakes formed a "seismic twin," a rare phenomenon in which two strong earthquakes of roughly equal magnitude occur in the same area or very close to each other within a short period of time.
The international community has urgently committed to sending rescue teams.
US President Donald Trump stressed that US authorities are "ready and able to assist Venezuela."
"The major earthquakes that have struck the great people of Venezuela are extraordinary in magnitude and have caused a terrible toll," Trump said, adding that "the United States is ready, willing, and able to help!"
Earlier, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau assured via X that Washington is in "contact" with authorities and that they are "mobilizing assistance" for earthquake victims.
El Salvador's President, Nayib Bukele, said his country has prepared 50 tons of equipment and supplies, as well as 300 rescue workers who are "ready to leave for Caracas."
Ecuador has also taken steps to immediately send aid to Venezuela, says its president Daniel Noboa Azin.
Meanwhile, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said his country would assess what aid measures it could take to support its "brother nation."
Mexican Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Alvarez also offered Venezuela "all the solidarity and support it may need."
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