3 People Killed by Debris when a Series of Earthquakes Shaken Venezuela

JAKARTA - Three people were reported dead and four others injured after a residential building collapsed in Caracas, Venezuela following a strong earthquake on Wednesday local time or Thursday WIB.

"The bodies of three victims, including a child, were evacuated from under the rubble. In addition, there were four injured people," a source told RIA Novosti as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, June 25.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that two earthquakes with a magnitude of 7.2 and 7.5 had shaken Venezuela.

The epicenter was detected 16 kilometers from the city of Moron and 24 kilometers from San Felipe.

The Venezuelan government officially declared a state of national emergency following the strong earthquake that hit the country, said the Acting President (Plt.) of Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez.

"We are establishing a state of national emergency, as provided for in our constitution," Rodriguez said in a video address late Wednesday.

IVenezuela's main airport, Maiquetia, was forced to close completely due to severe damage.

"A number of areas were reported to be very severely affected. In the capital city of Caracas, buildings collapsed in various areas. The states of Miranda and La Guaira also suffered significant damage... including the Aragua, Carabobo, and Falcon regions," explained Rodriguez.

Furthermore, Rodriguez said that 20 aftershocks had been recorded after the two main earthquakes.

"I want to thank the governments around the world who immediately contacted Venezuela after the earthquake occurred to convey their solidarity and support," said Rodriguez.

According to him, a number of countries such as the United States, Panama, Qatar, Cuba, Nicaragua, Turkey, Jordan, Colombia, Barbados, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and Mexico immediately expressed their readiness to help Venezuela.

In addition, representatives from the United Nations (UN) and international financial institutions have reportedly contacted the Venezuelan government to offer assistance in post-disaster management.