Jun 27, Kathmandu - A powerful earthquake that struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening has claimed at least 920 lives, with more than 50,000 people reported missing. The tremor toppled massive residential buildings across the capital, Caracas, and other major areas, with fears that hundreds remain trapped under the rubble.

Venezuelan National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed the death toll to date. Despite ongoing extensive rescue efforts, a model from the U.S. Geological Survey suggests the number of casualties could rise dramatically in the coming days.

The earthquake’s first shock was felt near San Felipe city at around 6:00 PM local time, registering a magnitude of 7.2. Merely 39 seconds later, a second, even more destructive quake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck the region.

According to Dr. Adam Pascale, a leading seismologist from Australia’s Seismological Research Centre, this event was a rare “double earthquake,” releasing twice the usual energy.

Video analysis from CNN indicates that the primary cause of destruction was the collapse of residential structures in a pancake-like fashion. Greg Faber, a former commanding officer of the St. Louis Fire Department and rescue expert, explained that in such collapses, building floors fall on top of each other, exerting immense pressure on the lower levels.

Similar destruction was observed during the 2023 Turkey earthquake and the 1989 California quake. Experts attribute the extensive damage to weak structures lacking adequate seismic resistance, common in South America.

Unlike the United States, Mexico, or Japan, Venezuela lacks an early warning sensor system for earthquakes, leaving residents unprepared. Caracas resident Jordi Ardil, 31, remarked, “We don’t have a culture of earthquake preparedness. We only realize the danger after the power goes out.” Some citizens reported receiving brief alerts via Google’s Android earthquake warning system just moments before shaking.

Teenager Roberto Quintero, 17, witnessed a massive residential building collapse while heading to his mother’s apartment. The scene left his mother panic-stricken and trapped inside their home until neighbors helped them reach safety in a parking lot.

“We’re waiting for official instructions to see if it’s safe to enter the building again,” Quintero said.

Rescue operations have been hampered by a severe shortage of heavy machinery, forcing rescue teams to work with their bare hands to clear debris. Nubia Gomez, 60, traveled nine hours from Maracaibo to Caracas in search of her missing daughter. Tearfully, she said, “I messaged my daughter, but I received no reply. When I saw the building collapse on Instagram, I came straight here.”

Local hardware store owner Jordi Ardil has been aiding rescue efforts with tools such as cordless rotary hammers, grinders, and sledges. “We must unite and help the country recover from this disaster,” he urged.

Venezuela is situated on one of South America’s most active tectonic boundaries, where the Caribbean and South American plates collide. Historically, this region has experienced devastating earthquakes, including the nearly 30,000 fatalities in the 1812 earthquake along the Boconó Fault system.