Newsroom
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within seconds of each other, shaking the capital, Caracas, collapsing buildings, and sending thousands of terrified residents running into the streets for safety.
The two earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale, were among the strongest to hit the South American country in decades, according to authorities. The disaster has left at least 32 people dead and more than 700 injured, Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodriguez said in the first official casualty update.
Rescue teams were working through the rubble of collapsed buildings in Caracas and surrounding areas, searching for survivors as emergency crews rushed to help those trapped.
Videos shared on social media captured the panic as the earthquake struck. At Maiquetia International Airport, near Caracas, passengers and airport workers were seen running through corridors as debris fell from ceilings, trying to find protection.
A 22-story apartment building in the Altamira district of Caracas was among the structures reported to have collapsed. Rescue workers searched through the ruins as residents called out the names of missing family members. Volunteers were seen climbing through the wreckage while emergency teams requested equipment, including flashlights, as night fell.
Venezuela’s government declared a state of emergency following the disaster. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said some buildings in the capital had collapsed and ordered natural gas supplies to be temporarily cut as a precaution to prevent further accidents.
Two earthquakes in less than a minute
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the first earthquake struck at around 6:04 p.m. local time, measuring 7.2 in magnitude. It was recorded at a depth of about 22 kilometers, around 200 kilometers west of Caracas.
Just 39 seconds later, a second and stronger earthquake followed, measuring 7.5 and occurring at a much shallower depth of around 10 kilometers.
The powerful shaking was followed by around 20 strong aftershocks, with experts warning that the combination of the two major quakes could cause widespread damage.
International help offered
US President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared to assist Venezuela following the disaster.
“The United States is ready, willing, and able to help,” Trump said, adding that Washington would support those affected by what he described as two major earthquakes.
US officials said they were already in contact with Venezuelan authorities regarding possible assistance.
For residents of Caracas, the focus now has shifted from the shock of the earthquake to the difficult task ahead: finding survivors, assessing the damage, and beginning the long recovery after one of the country’s most devastating natural disasters in recent history.
