Rescue teams are racing against time to find survivors after two powerful earthquakes ripped through Venezuela, leaving at least 235 people dead, more than 4,300 injured and raising fears that the final death toll could climb significantly.
The twin earthquakes struck near the capital, Caracas, at about 6:04 p.m. local time (22:04 GMT) on Wednesday, a national holiday when many families were at home, increasing the scale of the tragedy.
Emergency workers have been combing through collapsed buildings in search of survivors, with many victims believed to remain trapped beneath the rubble. Thousands have also been displaced, while countless others have chosen to spend the night outdoors, fearing aftershocks and the collapse of damaged structures.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), both earthquakes were shallow, making them particularly destructive. The first struck at a depth of 20.3 kilometres below the surface, while the second occurred at a depth of just 10 kilometres.
The scale of the disaster prompted Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodríguez, to declare a nationwide state of emergency as rescue and humanitarian operations intensified. National Assembly President Jorge Rodríguez confirmed on Thursday that the death toll had continued to rise as emergency responders reached more affected communities.
The disaster has triggered an international response, with several countries pledging assistance to support relief efforts. The United States announced a $150 million emergency aid package and said military transport aircraft and ships would be deployed to assist search-and-rescue missions and deliver humanitarian supplies.
Critical infrastructure has also suffered extensive damage. Venezuela’s main international airport in Maiquetía, on the outskirts of Caracas, has been shut down after sustaining serious structural damage. Videos circulating online showed debris and dust falling from the terminal ceiling, forcing authorities to suspend operations.
Elsewhere, approximately 250 kilometres northwest of Caracas, verified footage from the coastal city of Tucacas showed a multi-storey building, believed to be a hotel, collapsing during the powerful tremors, highlighting the widespread destruction caused by the disaster.
Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant as aftershocks remain possible, while emergency agencies continue efforts to rescue those trapped, restore essential services and provide shelter to thousands of displaced families.
