USGS warns death toll could reach tens of thousands as rescue efforts intensify amid widespread destruction and collapsed buildings

A powerful 7.5-magnitude earthquake has struck Venezuela, triggering widespread destruction and raising fears of a major humanitarian disaster across the country.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said early assessments indicate the quake could result in a high number of casualties, with initial estimates suggesting a potential death toll ranging between 10,000 and 100,000. The agency warned that the scale of the disaster is likely extensive, given the strength of the quake and the vulnerability of affected areas.

Authorities have yet to release an official nationwide figure for fatalities or injuries. However, local officials and eyewitnesses report significant damage in multiple مناطق, including collapsed buildings, trapped residents, and emergency rescue operations underway.

Emergency responders have been deployed to the hardest-hit where efforts are focused on searching for survivors buried under rubble and providing urgent medical assistance to the injured. Hospitals are reportedly overwhelmed as the number of casualties continues to rise.

Residents described scenes of panic as the earthquake struck, with many fleeing homes and gathering in open spaces amid fears of aftershocks. Critical infrastructure, including roads and communication networks, is believed to have been impacted, complicating rescue and relief operations.

International agencies are closely monitoring the situation, with calls for urgent humanitarian assistance expected as the full scale of the disaster becomes clearer.

Further updates are anticipated as authorities continue damage assessments and rescue efforts across the affected regions.