Venezuela Declares Emergency After Twin Quakes Kill Dozens, Injure Hundreds
Venezuela has declared a state of emergency following two powerful earthquakes that struck within moments of each other, leaving at least 32 people dead and hundreds more injured.
The tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, shook large parts of the country on Wednesday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering panic in the capital, Caracas, and surrounding regions.
Authorities said rescue teams were working around the clock to locate survivors trapped beneath rubble as fears grew that the death toll could climb significantly.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez described the disaster as one of the country’s most difficult moments in recent years, saying emergency responders had been deployed nationwide to assist victims and assess the extent of the destruction.
Several residential and commercial structures suffered severe damage, while hospitals were flooded with injured residents seeking treatment. In some areas, schools and public facilities were converted into temporary shelters for displaced families.
The government also confirmed the closure of the country’s main international airport after damage was reported at the facility.
Power and telecommunications services were disrupted in several communities, leaving many families struggling to contact loved ones.
A series of aftershocks continued to shake parts of the country hours after the initial quakes, prompting officials to urge residents to avoid damaged buildings and remain alert.
Rescue crews from abroad are expected to join local emergency workers as search-and-recovery operations intensify. Several countries have already offered humanitarian assistance and technical support.
Messages of solidarity poured in from world leaders, while aid agencies began assessing the resources needed to support affected communities.
The earthquakes are among the strongest recorded in Venezuela in more than a century. Seismologists say the country’s location along the boundary of the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates makes it vulnerable to major seismic activity.
As rescue efforts continue, thousands of families remain uncertain about the fate of missing relatives, while authorities race to prevent further loss of life in the aftermath of the disaster.
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