Twin Powerful Earthquakes Strike Venezuela, Buildings Collapse As Emergency Teams Rush To Rescue Survivors
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within moments of each other on Wednesday, causing widespread panic, damaging buildings and triggering major rescue operations across the country, particularly in the capital Caracas.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck around 160 kilometres west of Caracas before a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor followed less than a minute later. The back-to-back quakes shook large parts of the country and were felt far beyond the epicentre.
The USGS warned that the disaster could result in significant casualties and extensive destruction, with initial assessments suggesting a potentially severe humanitarian impact.
Authorities Launch Emergency Response
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the government would declare a state of emergency and seek international assistance to support relief and reconstruction efforts. Expressing condolences to families affected by the disaster, Rodriguez said authorities were working to determine the scale of the damage and provide immediate assistance to affected communities.
Emergency personnel, civil protection teams and security forces were deployed across impacted regions as reports of collapsed structures and trapped residents emerged throughout the afternoon. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said rescue workers were responding with all available resources as authorities raced to reach people believed to be trapped beneath debris.
Rescue Efforts Intensify In Caracas
Several districts of Caracas reported building collapses and structural damage following the tremors. Emergency crews were seen searching through rubble in damaged residential and commercial buildings, while anxious relatives gathered nearby hoping for news of missing family members.
Chacao mayor Gustavo Duque said multiple structures had been affected and confirmed that survivors had already been pulled from at least one collapsed building. He urged residents to remain in open areas and stay alert for possible aftershocks.
Search-and-rescue operations continued after sunset as authorities worked to locate people still unaccounted for.
Panic Grips Residents
The earthquakes struck during a public holiday, catching many people at home.
Residents described scenes of chaos as buildings shook violently and people rushed into the streets.
Many reported hearing loud crashing sounds as household items fell and walls cracked. Others said they received earthquake alerts moments before the strongest shaking began.
For many Venezuelans, the tremors revived memories of previous deadly earthquakes that have struck the country over the decades.
Hospitals, Airports Affected
Medical facilities activated emergency plans to deal with a growing number of injured people, while healthcare workers were called in to reinforce staffing levels. Authorities also reported damage at Maiquetia International Airport, leading to a temporary suspension of operations as inspections were carried out.
Schools and educational institutions were ordered to remain closed while officials assessed the safety of public infrastructure.
Oil Industry Watches Closely
Although there were no immediate reports of major damage to Venezuela’s key oil facilities, energy companies began reviewing operations and accounting for personnel across production sites. Industry sources said prolonged power disruptions could affect output if electricity networks suffer significant damage.
Tsunami Alert Withdrawn
Following the earthquakes, the US Tsunami Warning System briefly issued alerts for parts of the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The warning was later cancelled after further evaluation.
Venezuela lies in a seismically active region where the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates interact, making it vulnerable to powerful earthquakes. As emergency crews continue rescue efforts, authorities are expected to provide a clearer picture of casualties and damage in the coming hours.
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