President Rodriguez's Office Declares State of Emergency After Earthquake Rocks Venezuela

JAKARTA - Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez's officials announced a state of emergency after the country was hit by a series of devastating earthquakes on Wednesday.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a magnitude 7.2 earthquake near San Felipe, about 249 kilometers west of the capital Caracas, Wednesday (24/6) afternoon local time, quoted from Al Jazeera (25/6).

The earthquake was followed by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake near Yumare, about 293 kilometers west of the capital Caracas.

The tsunami warning that was issued by the US Tsunami Warning Centers, following the earthquake, has been lifted, quoted from CNN.

Meanwhile, President Rodriguez's office in a televised speech announced a state of emergency, confirming casualties, without specifying how many people died, and announced the formation of a high-level task force to oversee search and rescue operations.

"We have activated all public and private health networks in the country - especially in the most affected areas - to treat the injured during this very sensitive period for the population," the Venezuelan presidential official explained.

"We also express our deepest condolences to those who have tragically lost family members," he said.

Maiquetía International Airport, which serves the capital Caracas, has been closed due to "severe damage to its infrastructure," added Presidential Chief of Staff Rodríguez.

School activities across the country have been suspended until the end of this week, while train services and activities deemed non-essential have also been temporarily canceled.

Several buildings were reported to have collapsed in Caracas. The states of Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo, and Falcón were also affected, with some areas reporting power outages.

"This is a very serious matter," said Rodriguez.