Authorities said around 30 aftershocks have been recorded since two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude hit the country on Wednesday. The quakes caused widespread destruction, particularly in and around the capital Caracas, prompting the government to declare a state of emergency.
The earthquakes struck near the coastal town of Moron, with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) describing the event as a seismic doublet. A 7.2-magnitude foreshock was followed 39 seconds later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake.
Rescue workers and residents continued searching through collapsed buildings for survivors. A 22-storey building in Caracas’ Altamira district was completely destroyed, while severe damage was reported to homes, businesses and public infrastructure.
Maiquetia International Airport near Caracas was shut down after sustaining significant structural damage. Authorities also suspended gas supplies to several buildings as a precaution against further accidents.
The strongest impact was reported in the states of Trujillo, Carabobo, Miranda and La Guaira. The tremors were felt across much of Venezuela and even reached neighbouring Colombia, where hundreds of reports of shaking were received.
US President Donald Trump expressed condolences and offered assistance, saying the United States stood ready to help Venezuela deal with the disaster.
Despite concerns, both Colombian authorities and the US National Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that the earthquakes did not trigger a tsunami threat.
The disaster is among the deadliest earthquakes in Venezuela s recent history, surpassing the 1997 quake that killed 73 people and approaching the scale of the 1967 Caracas earthquake, which claimed 236 lives. Rescue and recovery operations remain underway as authorities assess the full extent of the damage.
