Two major earthquakes strike Venezuela, leaving at least 32 dead and hundreds injured

CARACAS, Venezuela | Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people, injuring more than 700, and causing widespread destruction as buildings collapsed across Caracas and nearby areas, according to authorities. Rescue teams continued searching through piles of rubble as officials warned that the casualty figures could rise.

The earthquakes, measured at magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), struck less than a minute apart in an area west of Caracas. The tremors brought down buildings, triggered evacuations, and left many residents trapped as emergency responders rushed to damaged communities.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said the initial death toll did not yet include casualties from La Guaira state, one of the hardest-hit areas near Caracas and home to the country’s main international airport. She described the disaster as a national tragedy and said rescue operations were continuing to locate survivors.

“Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as possible,” Rodríguez said in a televised address.

The USGS warned that the disaster could result in significantly higher casualties, using predictive modeling that indicated the number of deaths could potentially reach thousands.

Emergency footage showed rescuers climbing over collapsed structures in Caracas while families searched for missing relatives. Survivors described scenes of panic as residents rushed out of shaking buildings and gathered in streets following the powerful tremors.

“When we went downstairs, the scene was like a horror movie,” said Maria Alejandra, a Caracas resident, describing the chaos after the earthquake.

A website tracking missing persons, shared by opposition figures, listed more than 6,600 people as unaccounted for shortly after the disaster, though authorities had not confirmed the figure.

Many Venezuelans were at home when the earthquakes struck during a public holiday. Residents reported hearing loud crashes, seeing household items thrown from shelves, and feeling intense shaking unlike anything they had experienced before.

“I have never experienced anything like it,” said Coro Martinez, 56, a resident of eastern Caracas.

A brief tsunami warning was issued after the earthquakes but was later canceled after officials determined the immediate threat had passed.

Hospitals in Caracas increased staffing to handle the influx of injured patients, while schools were suspended as authorities assessed the damage. Rescue operations were expected to receive assistance from international teams as several countries offered support.

The United States said it was monitoring the situation and was prepared to provide assistance. Other countries, including Brazil, Spain, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic, also expressed support and condolences.

Venezuela is located in a seismically active region where the Caribbean Plate and South American Plate interact. The country has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past, including the 1967 Caracas earthquake that killed hundreds and the 1812 earthquake that caused widespread destruction and thousands of deaths, according to historical records cited by USGS.

Authorities said Venezuela’s oil infrastructure did not appear to have suffered major damage immediately after the earthquakes, although officials continued assessing possible effects on energy operations and public services.

Rescue workers remained deployed as aftershocks continued and officials warned that the full extent of the destruction would only become clear after search and recovery operations progressed.

Source: Reuters | Additional reporting and editorial processing by Tutubi News Magazine