Death Toll Climbs After Twin Powerful Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela
Rescue teams are desperately searching through collapsed buildings after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela near the capital, Caracas. At least 235 people have been confirmed dead and more than 4,300 others have been injured. Officials fear the death toll will continue to rise as emergency operations continue.
Residents in Caracas and the nearby coastal city of La Guaira were heard calling for help from beneath piles of rubble after buildings collapsed. The first earthquake measured magnitude 7.2 before a stronger 7.5 magnitude quake struck just seconds later. According to the US Geological Survey, both earthquakes occurred at shallow depths, increasing the level of destruction. Many survivors have been left homeless or are too frightened to return to damaged buildings.
The earthquakes struck at 6:04pm local time on Wednesday, which was a national holiday in Venezuela. Authorities said more people were likely to have been at home when the disaster unfolded, potentially increasing the number of casualties. The first quake was centred about 20.3 kilometres below the surface, while the second struck at a depth of just 10 kilometres. Emergency crews have continued searching for survivors despite difficult conditions.
Jorge Rodríguez, president of Venezuela's National Assembly, confirmed the rising death toll on Thursday. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency as rescue operations intensified across the affected areas. Emergency shelters have been opened for displaced families, while hospitals continue treating thousands of injured people. Officials warned that aftershocks remain possible as recovery efforts continue.
International support has begun arriving as countries pledge assistance to Venezuela. The United States has announced 150 million dollars in emergency aid to support rescue and humanitarian efforts. Military transport ships and aircraft are also being deployed to assist relief operations.
The coming days are expected to be critical as rescuers continue searching for people trapped beneath the rubble. Authorities have urged residents to remain alert for aftershocks and avoid entering damaged buildings until they have been declared safe. Humanitarian agencies are preparing additional aid for communities facing widespread destruction. The full scale of the disaster is expected to become clearer as search operations continue.
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