Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 700 others as buildings collapsed in and around Caracas.
The Venezuela earthquake involved two major tremors measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The quakes struck less than a minute apart, with the epicenter located about 160 kilometers west of the capital.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue searching for survivors. She noted that casualty figures do not yet include the heavily affected La Guaira state, home to Caracas’ main airport.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are carrying out intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as possible,” Rodriguez said during a televised address. She described the disaster as a national tragedy and expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones.
The USGS warned that the final death toll could reach into the thousands, with a significant possibility of exceeding 10,000 based on predictive models.
Emergency crews worked through the night in Caracas, searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings. In the Baruta district, local authorities confirmed three deaths after two buildings collapsed. Another person died in the Chacao district, where several structures were destroyed.
Videos from the capital showed rescue workers climbing through debris while desperate relatives searched for loved ones believed to be trapped.
Residents across Caracas rushed into the streets as buildings shook violently. Many described scenes of panic and confusion.
“There was a very loud crash. Things fell everywhere in the house. I’ve never experienced anything like it,” said Coro Martinez, a resident of eastern Caracas.
Astrid Ramirez, who lives in western Caracas, said people began screaming and running down staircases as soon as the shaking started.
Authorities briefly issued a tsunami warning following the earthquakes but later canceled it after determining there was no longer a threat.
Several countries, including Brazil, El Salvador and the Dominican Republic, offered assistance and expressed solidarity with Venezuela. U.S. President Donald Trump said the United States was prepared to help with relief efforts, while the U.S. State Department said it was coordinating with Venezuelan authorities.
Caracas’ main airport in Maiquetia was closed because of damage caused by the quakes. Schools across the country were also closed for the remainder of the week as officials assessed the extent of the destruction.
Hospitals in Caracas activated emergency plans and increased staffing levels to cope with the large number of injured people.
Officials said Venezuela’s oil facilities did not appear to have suffered major damage, although extended power outages could affect crude production if electricity is not restored quickly.
Venezuela sits in a seismically active region where the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates meet, making the country vulnerable to major earthquakes.