Caracas, Venezuela – In a terrifying scene following controversial astronomical warnings, Venezuela was struck by powerful earthquakes Wednesday night into Thursday morning. The tremors caused widespread destruction and panic, leaving dozens dead and hundreds injured, according to initial reports that are expected to rise.
“The Dutch Observer” and the predictions of the “critical astronomical situation”
This natural disaster coincided with warnings issued Wednesday evening by Dutch seismologist Frank Hoogrepts, who posted an alert on his official platforms about a “critical astronomical situation” resulting from the close alignment of Mercury, Uranus, and Mars with Earth. He predicted strong seismic activity within 48 hours.
Although Hoogrepts gained widespread fame after the 2023 Turkey earthquake, his theories based on “planetary geometry” are strongly rejected by the scientific and geological communities. These communities assert that there is no proven physical link between the movement of celestial bodies and Earth’s seismic activity.
Two earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale
Venezuela was rocked by two powerful earthquakes in quick succession. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the first quake at a magnitude of 7.2. Just a minute later, a second, even stronger quake struck, measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the second earthquake was at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometers, exacerbating the damage across a wide area. These tremors are among the strongest in Venezuela’s history over the past century. The shaking was felt as far away as Bogotá, the capital of Colombia, some 1,000 kilometers away.
A painful toll and a state of emergency declared
In the capital, Caracas, the tremors caused residential buildings to collapse and triggered widespread panic in the streets.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national emergency. She also reported significant damage to Caracas’s international airport and the suspension of classes nationwide. Rodríguez confirmed an initial death toll of 32 and reported 700 injuries. She added that international rescue teams were en route to assist.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued immediate warnings for the Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic. Local rescue teams are continuing their efforts to search for those trapped under the rubble. There are fears that the final death toll could be much higher, given the shallow epicenter and the powerful impact in densely populated areas. This night is thus becoming one of the most tragic in Venezuela’s recent history.
