Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes within 39 seconds on Wednesday, triggering widespread destruction, collapsing buildings and prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency as rescue teams continued searching for people trapped under debris.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake was followed by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor, with the epicentre located around 160 kilometres west of Caracas. The twin earthquakes were among the strongest recorded in the country’s modern history.
Several buildings collapsed in Caracas and adjoining areas, while infrastructure, including the Simón Bolívar International Airport near the capital, suffered damage, forcing its temporary closure. Metro and rail services were also suspended as authorities assessed the extent of destruction.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced that international assistance would be sought to support rescue and recovery efforts. While expressing condolences to families who had lost loved ones, she did not disclose an official death toll or the number of injured.
Emergency workers continued search-and-rescue operations through the night, with local officials reporting collapsed buildings and multiple rescue efforts in Caracas. In one collapsed building alone, rescuers pulled out 18 survivors, while officials in Falcón state reported at least 22 injured and 15 people missing.
The USGS issued a Red PAGER alert, warning that the disaster could result in high casualties and extensive damage. Its preliminary impact assessment estimated that the eventual death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000 based on seismic modelling and population exposure. Authorities, however, have stressed that this is a scientific projection and not the confirmed number of fatalities, with official casualty figures yet to be released.
The earthquakes, followed by numerous aftershocks, caused panic across several Venezuelan states, with residents rushing out of homes and offices as buildings shook violently. Rescue operations and damage assessments remain underway. [KNT]
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