Powerful Earthquakes In Venezuela Leave 164 Dead And 971 Injured

At least 164 people have died and 971 others have been injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, according to Acting President Delcy Rodríguez. The twin quakes, with magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5, are being described as among the strongest seismic events to hit the country in more than a century, causing widespread destruction and panic across multiple regions.

The earthquakes were felt far beyond Venezuela’s borders, with tremors reported across neighbouring countries and as far as Brazil’s Amazon region, nearly 1,700 kilometres from the epicentre. The first quake, initially measured at 7.1 and later revised to 7.2 by the US Geological Survey, struck west of Morón at a shallow depth. A second, stronger 7.5-magnitude quake followed just minutes later, intensifying the damage and triggering evacuations in urban centres, including the capital Caracas.

One of the worst-hit areas has been La Guaira state, located along the coast north of Caracas, where authorities have declared parts of the region a disaster zone. Officials reported multiple building collapses and confirmed ongoing rescue operations to locate survivors trapped under debris. Emergency teams have been deployed from other parts of the country, while heavy construction equipment is being urgently mobilised to speed up search-and-rescue efforts.

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Acting President Rodríguez said international assistance is being coordinated, with United Nations-certified rescue teams expected to assist in recovery operations. The government has also announced a $200 million reconstruction fund aimed at rebuilding damaged hospitals and homes. Several critical infrastructures, including Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas, were shut down, while public transport systems and gas services in parts of the capital were suspended.

The disaster has triggered widespread disruption across Venezuela, with schools closed for several days and authorities urging residents to remain alert due to ongoing aftershocks. Power outages and communication breakdowns have further complicated rescue efforts, leaving many families struggling to contact loved ones. Officials and residents alike have described scenes of collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and people gathering in open spaces for safety.

International leaders from several countries, including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and others, have offered assistance as relief operations continue. Seismic activity from the earthquakes was also felt in parts of Colombia and Brazil, though no major damage was reported there. Authorities continue to warn of possible aftershocks as rescue teams race against time to save those still trapped under rubble.

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