Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed solidarity with Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the South American nation, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister conveyed India's condolences to the victims and assured the Venezuelan government that India stands ready to provide all possible assistance during the ongoing rescue and relief operations.

Expressing sympathy for those affected, Modi said he was deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the powerful earthquakes. "Deeply saddened by the devastation caused by the severe earthquakes in Venezuela. On behalf of the people of India, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Venezuela, especially to the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray for the speedy recovery of those injured and stand in solidarity with all those affected during this difficult time. India stands ready to extend all possible assistance," he wrote on X.

The Prime Minister's statement came after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude struck off Venezuela's Caribbean coast on Wednesday evening. The twin tremors triggered widespread panic, damaging buildings, collapsing structures and disrupting infrastructure across several regions, including the capital, Caracas. The earthquakes were also felt across neighbouring countries, with reports indicating tremors reached parts of Brazil's Amazon region approximately 1,700 kilometres away.

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Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said the earthquakes caused significant damage in several states, although authorities were still assessing the full extent of the destruction. She confirmed that Simón Bolívar International Airport sustained severe damage and has been temporarily closed, while schools have also been shut for several days. Emergency services have been mobilised nationwide, with healthcare workers instructed to report for duty as rescue operations continue.

According to officials in Falcón state, at least 32 people have been hospitalised following the earthquakes, while rescue teams were continuing efforts to locate and free people believed to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Authorities have appealed for calm as aftershocks continue to affect the region and engineers assess the safety of damaged structures before residents are allowed to return.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the first earthquake struck at a depth of 22 kilometres near Morón before a stronger second quake occurred roughly a minute later at a depth of 10 kilometres nearby. The back-to-back earthquakes are among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, prompting international expressions of support as rescue teams continue searching for survivors and assessing the scale of the disaster.

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