CARACAS, Venezuela (FN), Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within seconds of each other on Wednesday evening, killing at least 32 people, injuring more than 700 others and causing widespread destruction across Caracas and neighbouring regions as rescue workers searched for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
According to the United States Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of Caracas shortly after 6 p.m. local time. Just 39 seconds later, a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake hit the same region, making the twin tremors among the most powerful to strike Venezuela in more than a century.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency as authorities assessed the scale of the disaster. In a national address, Rodríguez said at least 32 people had been killed and more than 700 injured, while warning that the toll could rise as rescue operations continued in the hardest-hit areas.
“At this time, we have received reports of 32 deaths” and “more than 700 injured,” Rodríguez said, adding that authorities were still gathering information from La Guaira state, one of the worst-affected regions.
The hardest-hit areas included Caracas and neighboring La Guaira state, where dozens of buildings collapsed and emergency crews worked through the night searching for survivors beneath piles of concrete and twisted metal. Rodríguez described the situation as “a true tragedy” and expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones.
Authorities reported more than 20 aftershocks following the initial earthquakes, prompting warnings for residents to remain away from damaged buildings. Engineers were deployed to inspect schools, hospitals, bridges and government facilities amid concerns that additional tremors could trigger further collapses.
Hospitals across affected regions treated hundreds of injured residents, while emergency shelters were opened for families forced from damaged homes. Thousands of people spent the night outdoors in parks, parking lots and public spaces as fears of additional aftershocks spread.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as the earthquakes struck. Residents rushed from homes, offices and shopping centers while emergency sirens sounded across parts of the capital. Images and video from local media showed rescue workers searching through rubble, damaged roads and heavily affected neighborhoods.
The disaster disrupted transportation and public services across the country. Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela’s main airport, was closed after sustaining damage, while metro services and some government operations were suspended. School classes were canceled for several days, and some educational facilities were converted into shelters and donation centers.
The earthquakes were felt far beyond Venezuela, including in parts of Colombia and Brazil. A tsunami warning was briefly issued following the tremors before being withdrawn by authorities.
International support began arriving within hours of the disaster. Governments including the United States, Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador and several other nations offered assistance. Rescue teams, medical personnel and humanitarian organizations prepared emergency aid as Venezuela’s recovery effort intensified.
Seismologists said the shallow depth and powerful magnitude of the quakes contributed to the extensive destruction. The USGS warned that high casualties and severe economic damage were possible due to the concentration of population in the affected areas.
The disaster has revived memories of previous devastating earthquakes in Venezuela, including the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which killed hundreds of people and remains one of the country’s deadliest modern seismic events. Experts described the latest disaster as a rare earthquake “doublet,” with two major quakes occurring less than a minute apart.
Rescue operations continued Thursday as authorities worked to determine the full extent of the damage. Officials urged residents to remain calm, follow emergency instructions and avoid unstable structures while recovery efforts continue.
For many Venezuelans, the twin earthquakes represent one of the country’s most devastating natural disasters in recent decades, with rebuilding expected to take months and the final human toll still uncertain.
