Venezuela earthquakes kill at least 164, nearly 1,000 injured
A series of powerful earthquakes, the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, has claimed at least 164 lives and left over 970 people injured, while causing widespread destruction across several regions near the capital, Caracas.
The twin tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck western areas of the country on Wednesday evening, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Rescue teams and residents worked through the night, searching collapsed buildings for survivors and attempting to free those trapped beneath the rubble.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed the rising death toll on Thursday, noting that the northern coastal state of La Guaira suffered some of the worst damage.
In the city of Catia La Mar, devastated residents gathered around collapsed structures in search of loved ones. Larry Rojas, whose family members were trapped inside a destroyed building, described the despair felt by many victims.
The disaster left large sections of La Guaira without electricity, forcing many residents to spend the night outdoors or continue searching for missing relatives.
The 7.5-magnitude quake is considered Venezuela’s strongest earthquake since October 1900, when a 7.7-magnitude tremor occurred offshore.
### Rescue Efforts Intensify
Emergency responders faced enormous challenges as they navigated collapsed residential buildings, many of which suffered severe structural damage. Witnesses reported seeing survivors trapped beneath the debris while awaiting assistance.
Several countries quickly offered support. France announced plans to deploy 85 rescue personnel, while Spain committed 54 military search specialists. Additional assistance was pledged by China, India, Brazil and the United States.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Washington was immediately mobilizing search-and-rescue teams, medical supplies and humanitarian aid to assist Venezuela.
According to the USGS, the first earthquake struck at 2204 GMT with an epicentre located about 21 kilometres west of the coastal town of Moron. Less than a minute later, a second, stronger 7.5-magnitude quake occurred approximately 45 kilometres away.
The agency explained that the second quake was the main shock, preceded by a 7.2-magnitude foreshock just 39 seconds earlier.
### Authorities Take Precautionary Measures
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to evacuate potentially unsafe buildings and announced the temporary suspension of gas supplies to several structures to prevent further accidents.
Authorities also closed Maiquetia International Airport near Caracas after significant damage was reported to parts of the facility. Images circulating on social media showed extensive destruction within the airport complex.
### Panic Across Caracas
The earthquakes triggered widespread panic in Caracas, sending thousands of people into the streets. Buildings shook violently, with residents reporting cracked walls, damaged staircases and falling debris.
In the Altamira district, a 22-storey building collapsed completely, prompting frantic rescue efforts as volunteers searched for survivors among the ruins.
Many residents described terrifying moments as the ground shook beneath them. Some were forced to evacuate through emergency exits, while others remained trapped inside homes and apartments until the tremors subsided.
### Tremors Felt Beyond Venezuela
The earthquakes, which occurred at depths of 22 kilometres and 10 kilometres respectively, were also felt in neighbouring Colombia. In Bogotá, alarms sounded and some residents evacuated buildings as a precaution.
Freddy Tovar, coordinator of Colombia’s National Seismological Network, said authorities received more than 200 reports of tremors across the country and warned that additional aftershocks could occur.
Venezuelan officials identified the states of Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda and La Guaira as the areas most severely affected by the disaster.
The tragedy ranks among the deadliest seismic events in Venezuela’s recent history. Previous major earthquakes include the 1997 disaster in the northeast that killed 73 people and the 1967 Caracas earthquake that claimed 236 lives.