Venezuela has declared a state of emergency following two powerful earthquakes that struck country on Wednesday, resulting in at least 32 fatalities and around 700 injuries. The tremors, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, occurred just before 6:04 PM local time,coinciding with a national holiday commemorating 1821 Battle of Carabobo.
Emergency services are currently engaged in extensive search and rescue operations, particularly in the capital, Caracas, where the Altamira district experienced significant destruction . Authorities have reported that emergency crews have rescued individuals trapped in the rubble of collapsed structures,including a 22-storey building. full extent of the damage remains under evaluation.
In a televised address, acting President Delcy Rodriguez called for healthcare workers to report to hospitals and clinics to assist injured. She stated,“Following the powerful earthquakes that struck country this afternoon, we have declared a state of emergency across the entire national territory.” The government has also suspended classes and closed Simon Bolivar International Airport due to damage.
The earthquakes originated in Yaracuy state, west of Caracas. The first quake struck at a depth of 22 kilometers, followed by a larger quake less than a minute later at a depth of 10 kilometers. Although the epicentres were outside the capital, tremors were felt widely across central and western Venezuela, including in states of Carabobo, Miranda,La Guaira,and Trujillo. Reports of tremors also came from neighboring Colombia and as far away as Brazil’s Amazon region, over 1,700 kilometers from Caracas.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has warned of high casualties and extensive damage,noting that many buildings in the affected areas are constructed from unreinforced brick and adobe,making them particularly susceptible to earthquake damage . Their assessment indicated a 39 percent probability of fatalities reaching between 1,000 and 10,000,and a 37 percent chance of deaths ranging from 10,000 to 100,000. These figures are estimates intended for emergency planning.
As rescue operations continue, government is mobilizing health workers and assessing the situation. Rodriguez has indicated that the casualty figures may rise as search efforts progress. The Altamira and El Paraiso neighborhoods are among the hardest hit,with damage also reported in La Guaira and other central regions .
International responses have begun to materialize, with various governments expressing solidarity and offering assistance. President Donald Trump stated that the U.S. is prepared to help and has instructed agencies to mobilize quickly. El Salvador plans to send 300 paramedics along with medical supplies,while Ecuador and Panama have announced their intent to provide humanitarian aid. Both Mexico and Brazil are monitoring the situation closely, reporting no immediate casualties among their citizens.
Historically, Venezuela has faced devastating earthquakes, including a catastrophic event in 1812 that killed estimated 30,000 people. The USGS attributes recent quakes to shallow strike-slip faulting along the boundary between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. Experts caution that aftershocks are likely in the coming days, adding to challenges faced by emergency responders.
