At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within a minute of each other, causing widespread destruction across the capital, Caracas, and nearby coastal regions. Authorities fear the death toll could rise significantly as rescuers continue searching through collapsed buildings for survivors.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake measured 7.2 magnitude and struck about 160 kilometres west of Caracas. Just 39 seconds later, a second, stronger 7.5-magnitude quake hit the same region, creating a rare and devastating seismic doublet. The powerful tremors were felt across much of northern Venezuela and even in neighbouring countries.
The twin earthquakes brought down dozens of residential and commercial buildings, trapping people beneath the rubble. Emergency workers, firefighters and volunteers worked through the night to rescue survivors, while hospitals across Caracas struggled to cope with the large number of injured. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency and ordered all available medical personnel to report for duty. Schools were closed, public transport was disrupted and rescue operations were launched in the worst-affected areas.
The hardest-hit regions include Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira, where extensive structural damage has been reported. Power outages, damaged roads and communication disruptions have hampered rescue efforts. Simón Bolívar International Airport was temporarily closed, while several aftershocks forced thousands of residents to spend the night outdoors, fearing further building collapses.
The USGS warned that the earthquakes were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century. Its preliminary impact assessment suggests the eventual death toll could be much higher because many people are still missing and rescue teams have yet to reach several severely affected locations. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert as aftershocks continue to shake the region.
Messages of condolence and offers of assistance have poured in from around the world. Several countries, including India, the United States and neighbouring Latin American nations, have expressed solidarity and offered humanitarian aid, rescue teams and medical supplies. International agencies are also coordinating relief efforts as Venezuela faces one of the worst natural disasters in its recent history.
