Not less than 32 people have been confirmed dead and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, triggering widespread destruction and frantic rescue efforts across the country.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said emergency teams were working around the clock to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings, particularly in the capital, Caracas, where rescuers have reported hearing cries for help from beneath the rubble.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck west of the capital at about 6:04 p.m. local time during a national holiday, when many residents were at home with their families. The tremors were felt across a wide area, including parts of neighbouring Colombia, where residents in Bogotá also reported experiencing the shaking.
The disaster has crippled key infrastructure in affected areas. Large sections of the capital remain without electricity, while the metro system has been completely shut down as authorities assess damage and ensure public safety.
The scale of the disaster has raised fears that the death toll could rise significantly. Earlier estimates from the United States Geological Survey indicated a 44 per cent probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000 and a 30 per cent chance that the number of deaths could surpass 100,000, depending on the extent of structural damage and the success of rescue operations.
Emergency responders, military personnel and volunteers have been deployed to the worst-hit communities, where damaged roads and disrupted communications are complicating rescue efforts. Hospitals in several regions are reportedly overwhelmed as they treat hundreds of injured victims.
As international support begins to arrive, Rodríguez has publicly thanked several world leaders for their solidarity and assistance. In a message shared on social media, she expressed gratitude to Donald Trump, saying the US leader had remained in constant contact with Venezuelan authorities and offered support during the crisis.
She also acknowledged messages and assistance from Narendra Modi and José Antonio Kast, among other international leaders, as the country grapples with one of the most devastating natural disasters in its recent history.
