Caracas: Venezuela is facing one of its worst natural disasters in decades after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within seconds of each other, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 700. Rescue teams continued searching through damaged buildings on Thursday as officials warned that the death toll could rise as more affected areas are reached.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquakes measured 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude. The two tremors occurred less than a minute apart, making the disaster especially destructive. Their epicentres were located near the town of Moron, around 160 kilometres west of the capital Caracas, at relatively shallow depths that caused intense shaking across a large part of the country.
The strongest impact was felt in Caracas and the nearby coastal state of La Guaira, as well as in Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo and Falcon states. Buildings shook violently, roads cracked and several structures collapsed, trapping people beneath the rubble. Residents rushed into open spaces as aftershocks continued to rattle the region, adding to fears of further damage.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared a national state of emergency and said the country was going through a painful tragedy. She confirmed that the official death toll was expected to rise because rescue workers had not yet been able to assess the full extent of destruction in some of the worst affected areas, particularly La Guaira. Authorities said hundreds of people had suffered injuries ranging from minor cuts to serious trauma and were receiving treatment at hospitals across the country.
Emergency teams including firefighters, police officers, civil protection personnel and members of the armed forces worked through the night searching collapsed buildings for survivors. Rescue workers used heavy machinery as well as specialised equipment to detect signs of life beneath the debris. Volunteers also joined the operation by helping clear rubble and providing food and water to displaced families.
Hospitals in several cities were placed on emergency footing as doctors treated a growing number of injured people. Some medical facilities were evacuated after sustaining structural damage, while schools and public buildings were opened as temporary shelters for families whose homes had become unsafe. Power outages and disruptions to mobile phone services were reported in several regions, making communication and rescue efforts more difficult.
The United States Geological Survey's PAGER assessment suggested that the powerful earthquakes had the potential to cause a much higher number of casualties because of their strength, shallow depth and the vulnerability of many buildings. However, experts stressed that the estimate was a predictive assessment and not an official casualty count. Authorities said they would continue updating the public as rescue operations progressed.
The earthquakes also disrupted transport and damaged infrastructure, including areas near Simon Bolivar International Airport. Some public transport services were temporarily suspended while engineers inspected roads, bridges and public buildings for safety. Officials urged people to avoid damaged structures and remain alert for aftershocks.
Several countries quickly offered humanitarian assistance. The United States said it was mobilising urban search and rescue teams, medical experts, disaster response specialists and emergency supplies to support Venezuela's relief efforts. Countries including Brazil, Mexico, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic and Qatar also expressed their willingness to provide aid and assistance to those affected by the disaster.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello appealed to the public to keep roads clear so ambulances and rescue vehicles could move quickly through affected areas. He said emergency services had been fully deployed and would continue working around the clock until every affected community had been reached.
A tsunami warning issued shortly after the earthquakes was later cancelled after experts determined there was no continuing threat to coastal communities. Even so, authorities advised residents to follow official instructions and remain cautious because aftershocks could continue in the coming days.
Venezuela lies along the boundary between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, making it vulnerable to earthquakes, although events of this magnitude are relatively rare. Seismologists described the twin earthquakes as among the strongest to hit the country in more than a century.
As rescue efforts continue, families across Venezuela remain anxious as they wait for news of missing loved ones. Officials have warned that the full scale of the disaster may not become clear until search teams complete their work in the hardest hit communities.