Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 700 others, acting-President Delcy Rodriguez announced.
The back-to-back tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, sent shockwaves through several states and forced mass evacuations in cities as far as Brazil’s Amazon region, roughly 1,700 kilometers from the capital, Caracas.
The US Geological Survey located the epicenter of the first quake west of Morón, a coastal community about 168 kilometers west of Caracas, at a depth of 22 kilometers.
Just one minute later, a stronger 7.5-magnitude quake struck 16 kilometers southwest of the same town, at a shallower depth of 10 kilometers. Together, they rank among the most powerful earthquakes to hit Venezuela in over a century.
Airport Closed, Schools Cancelled
The tremors caused severe damage to Simón Bolívar International Airport, forcing authorities to close it. Rodríguez also suspended subway and natural gas services in Caracas and cancelled school for several days. She declared a state of emergency and urged all healthcare professionals to report to hospitals immediately.
The Ministry of Education announced that some schools would serve as shelters and donation centers in the worst-hit areas.
In Caracas, residents fled swaying buildings to find collapsed walls, toppled electricity poles and debris-blocked streets. Dust clouds rose over at least two neighbourhoods. Parts of the city lost both power and mobile phone reception.
“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” said Hector Ricci, a Caracas resident.
Rodríguez appealed for calm and unity. “We urge our population to remain calm,” she said. “We urge unity.” She also asked Venezuelans to report damage through a government app.
US Offers Immediate Aid
US President Donald Trump posted his condolences on Truth Social, calling the earthquakes “massive in scale” and the death toll “devastating.” He stated that the United States stood “ready, willing, and able to help.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio followed up by pledging the “immediate” deployment of search-and-rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.
