Twin quakes rock Venezuela, death toll climels amid rescue efforts

According to seismic authorities, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck west of the capital Caracas and was followed less than a minute later by a stronger 7.5-

CARACAS: Venezuela was rocked by two powerful earthquakes on Wednesday, leaving at least 32 people dead and hundreds injured as rescue teams raced to search through collapsed buildings and damaged neighborhoods across the country.

According to seismic authorities, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck west of the capital Caracas and was followed less than a minute later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor. The back-to-back quakes caused widespread destruction, particularly in and around the capital region, where emergency crews worked through the night to locate survivors trapped beneath rubble.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez described the disaster as a national tragedy, saying that dozens of structures had collapsed and rescue operations were underway in several affected areas. She noted that casualty figures were expected to rise as authorities continued to assess damage in the hardest-hit regions, including La Guaira state, home to Venezuela’s main international airport.

The earthquakes triggered panic across Caracas, sending residents rushing into the streets as buildings shook violently. Witnesses recounted scenes of chaos, with families scrambling to escape homes and apartment blocks while emergency services responded to multiple reports of collapsed structures.

Several fatalities were reported in different districts of the capital after residential and commercial buildings gave way under the force of the tremors. Rescue workers spent hours searching damaged sites as relatives anxiously awaited news of missing loved ones.

A tsunami warning was briefly issued following the earthquakes but was later withdrawn after authorities determined there was no longer a threat. The disaster struck during a public holiday, meaning many residents were at home when the powerful tremors hit.

International support quickly began to arrive, with several countries offering assistance to Venezuelan authorities. US President Donald Trump expressed condolences and said Washington was prepared to provide humanitarian aid. Leaders across Latin America also conveyed messages of solidarity and support.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended Pakistan’s condolences to the people of Venezuela, expressing sorrow over the loss of life and destruction caused by the disaster. He said Pakistan stood in solidarity with those affected and offered prayers for the injured and bereaved families.

Authorities temporarily closed Venezuela’s largest airport due to structural damage and suspended classes for the remainder of the week as engineers assessed public buildings and infrastructure. Hospitals in Caracas were placed on emergency footing, with medical staff called in to handle the growing number of injured patients.

Despite widespread disruption, initial reports indicated that the country’s major oil facilities had escaped significant damage. However, officials warned that prolonged power outages could affect crude production if services were not restored quickly.

Situated along the boundary between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates, Venezuela is prone to seismic activity. The latest disaster has revived memories of some of the country’s deadliest earthquakes and raised concerns that the final death toll could climb significantly as rescue operations continue.