NASA estimates 58,000 buildings damaged in Venezuela earthquakes
Twin earthquakes devastate thousands of structures in Venezuela
CARACAS: (Web Desk) – More than 58,000 buildings were likely damaged or destroyed by the powerful twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela last week, according to a preliminary assessment based on satellite data released by the US space agency NASA.
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, killed around 1,700 people and left thousands more missing. They were the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in more than a century.
The assessment, conducted by researchers Corey Scher and Jamon Van Den Hoek of Oregon State University using data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 radar satellite, estimated that approximately 58,870 buildings across the affected region suffered damage or were destroyed.
The researchers said the findings were based on rapid satellite analysis of surface changes recorded on June 25, one day after the earthquakes. They stressed that the estimate was preliminary and had not yet been verified through ground inspections.
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Meanwhile, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said 855 buildings had been officially reported as damaged, including 189 that had completely collapsed.
NASA said its satellites were continuing to provide critical imagery and data to help emergency teams assess the extent of the destruction and support ongoing rescue and relief operations.
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