Late Friday, Venezuela experienced another significant aftershock, measuring 4.9 in magnitude. This tremor, detected at 22:16 UTC by the Santo Domingo seismic station, was noted as the most intense signal of the day according to data from the monitoring platform SASSLA.
The seismic activity also included a less intense disturbance around 22:06 UTC, as indicated by the same records.
SASSLA has issued a warning that these aftershocks are likely to continue. "The sequence of aftershocks—ranging from hundreds to thousands—will persist for several weeks or months, although the daily frequency will gradually decrease," stated the verified @SasslaMx account on X.
This latest tremor follows two days after what has been described as Venezuela's most catastrophic seismic event in over a century.
On June 24, the country was struck by two powerful earthquakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, just 39 seconds apart. The epicenters were located in the Yaracuy state, near the municipalities of Yumare and Morón, at depths between 10 and 13 kilometers.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) classified these as the strongest earthquakes recorded in Venezuela since 1900 and issued a Red Alert. The seismic activity also triggered a tsunami warning for the Caribbean region.
Since the initial quakes, the official toll includes 920 deaths and 3,360 injuries, as announced by Jorge Rodríguez, president of the Venezuelan National Assembly. Earlier updates from interim president Delcy Rodríguez reported 589 fatalities and 2,980 injuries as of Friday morning.
International organizations present even more dire figures: the UN estimates up to 50,000 people are missing, while the International Organization for Migration suggests that approximately 6.76 million individuals may have been affected.
The devastation includes 346 collapsed or severely damaged buildings, over 200 people trapped under debris, and around 4,000 individuals displaced from their homes.
More than 200 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial twin earthquakes, including a 4.4 magnitude tremor early Friday morning in Morón, Carabobo, which caused widespread panic. The recent 4.9 magnitude aftershock marks the most significant seismic event of the day.
Among the tragedy's victims are Cuban nationals; reports from Friday indicate two Cuban children remain missing following the earthquakes.
The ongoing aftershocks pose additional risks to rescue operations, potentially collapsing already weakened structures. Experts caution that this seismic sequence could extend over weeks or even months.
Understanding the Impact of Venezuelan Earthquakes
What was the magnitude of the recent aftershock in Venezuela?
The recent aftershock in Venezuela had a magnitude of 4.9.
How long are aftershocks expected to continue in Venezuela?
Aftershocks in Venezuela are expected to continue for several weeks or months, with a gradual decrease in frequency.
What were the magnitudes of the initial twin earthquakes in Venezuela?
The initial twin earthquakes in Venezuela had magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5.
What is the current humanitarian impact of the earthquakes in Venezuela?
The earthquakes have resulted in 920 deaths, 3,360 injuries, and an estimated 50,000 missing persons, with 6.76 million potentially affected.