27.06.2026 12:40
The number of fatalities in the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that occurred 39 seconds apart in Venezuela has risen to 235, with the number of injured exceeding 4,300. Evaluating the earthquakes, Prof. Dr. Şener Üşümezsoy stated that the second earthquake was triggered by the initial tremor, noting that the chain rupture mechanism is similar to the 1999 Marmara, Düzce, and February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
The death toll from two earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 that occurred 39 seconds apart in Venezuela has risen to 235, while the number of injured exceeds 4,300. Evaluating the earthquakes, Prof. Dr. Şener Üşümezsoy stated that the chain fracture mechanism resembles the process seen in the August 17 and Düzce earthquakes, as well as the February 6 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes.
DEATH TOLL RISES TO 235
Venezuelan Health Minister Carlos Alvarado announced that the number of fatalities from the two major earthquakes in the country has risen to 235, with more than 4,300 people injured.
Alvarado noted that the most affected region was La Guaira state, stating that stocks of medicine and medical supplies are sufficient, but due to patient density, the logistics network has been shifted to La Guaira and around the capital, Caracas.
Alvarado reported that field hospitals are being set up due to the congestion and called all doctors, nurses, and medical students to duty.
DISASTER ZONE DECLARED
According to state channel VTV, Acting President Delcy Rodriguez, Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, and National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez conducted inspections in the earthquake-hit region of La Guaira.
Rodriguez stated that they aim to reach as many people as possible under the rubble of collapsed buildings and announced that they have requested international aid. It was reported that the first search and rescue teams have departed from the Dominican Republic, and teams from other countries are expected to arrive in the region.
TWO MAJOR EARTHQUAKES 39 SECONDS APART
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) announced that two earthquakes occurred just 39 seconds apart in Venezuela: a magnitude 7.2 northeast of San Felipe in Yaracuy state and a magnitude 7.5 southeast of Yumare.
The depths of the earthquakes were reported as 21.9 kilometers and 10 kilometers, respectively.
ÜŞÜMEZSOY: FIRST EARTHQUAKE TRIGGERED THE SECOND
Evaluating the earthquakes, earthquake expert Prof. Dr. Şener Üşümezsoy stated that the two major earthquakes were not independent of each other, but occurred as a result of a chain fracture on the same fault system.
"Stress accumulates, accumulates, and then explodes. First, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurs. As a result of its movement, a second earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurs," said Üşümezsoy, explaining that a fracture in one segment of long fault systems can trigger new fractures in neighboring segments.
REMINDED OF MARMARA AND KAHRAMANMARAŞ EARTHQUAKES
Üşümezsoy noted that a similar mechanism was observed in the August 17, 1999 Marmara Earthquake followed by the Düzce Earthquake, and the February 6, 2023 Kahramanmaraş-centered earthquakes.
Additionally, Üşümezsoy reminded that the North Anatolian Fault Line, stretching from Erzincan to Tokat, has historically experienced similar chain fractures, emphasizing that the risk of chain earthquakes on long fault systems is a scientific fact.