Venezuela declares emergency after two powerful earthquakes
Officials reported at least 32 deaths and about 700 injuries after magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes struck west of Caracas.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Venezuela declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck within a minute of each other on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people and injuring about 700, Al Jazeera, AP and Reuters reported. The quakes damaged buildings and infrastructure across central Venezuela, with rescue teams searching collapsed structures in Caracas.
Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said in a televised address that doctors, nurses and other health workers should report immediately to hospitals and clinics to help treat the injured, according to Al Jazeera. Authorities also closed Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas because of damage and suspended classes for several days, the outlet reported.
Damage centered in Caracas
The earthquakes hit at about 6:04pm local time, or 22:04 GMT, while Venezuela was marking the holiday commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo, according to Al Jazeera. Rodriguez said several states were affected.
Al Jazeera reported that the most severe damage was seen in Caracas, including the Altamira district, where emergency crews pulled survivors from the rubble of a 22-storey building as relatives looked for missing people. The outlet said Altamira and El Paraíso were among the worst-hit neighborhoods in the capital, with damage also reported in La Guaira and other parts of central Venezuela.
Officials said the toll may rise as searches continue and the scale of the damage is assessed, according to Al Jazeera. Authorities had not released a breakdown of the dead and injured by age, gender or location.
USGS warns of severe losses
The US Geological Survey said the first quake, magnitude 7.2, struck in Yaracuy state west of Caracas at a depth of 22km, according to Al Jazeera. Less than a minute later, a magnitude 7.5 quake hit at a depth of about 10km, the USGS said.
Although the epicentres were outside Caracas, shaking was felt across the capital and in central and western states including Carabobo, Miranda, La Guaira and Trujillo, Al Jazeera reported. Tremors were also reported in Colombia and as far away as Brazil’s Amazon region, more than 1,700km from Caracas.
The USGS warned that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable,” according to Al Jazeera. Its PAGER assessment estimated a 39 percent probability of 1,000 to 10,000 fatalities and a 37 percent probability of 10,000 to 100,000 fatalities, figures the agency uses for emergency planning rather than confirmed death counts.
Al Jazeera reported that the USGS cited the vulnerability of reinforced masonry and adobe buildings in the affected area. Experts also warned that strong aftershocks could occur in the coming days, according to the outlet.
Foreign governments offer help
US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the United States was ready to assist Venezuela, according to Al Jazeera. Officials from his administration said Washington would send search-and-rescue teams, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said his country was preparing to send 300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tonnes of medical supplies and emergency equipment, Al Jazeera reported. Ecuador and Panama also announced humanitarian assistance.
Al Jazeera reported that Mexico and Brazil expressed solidarity and said they were monitoring the situation. Both countries said there were no immediate reports that their citizens had been affected.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.