Thousands feared dead as twin quakes devastate Venezuela: rescue teams race against time

Story Timeline
3 months · 19 summary articles
Thousands feared dead after twin earthquakes devastate Venezuela as global aid mobilises
At least 32 people have been confirmed dead and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, but authorities and seismologists warn the toll could rise to tens of thousands as rescue teams race to reach survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings in Caracas and along the northern coast.
A magnitude 7.2 foreshock hit near Morón at 18:00 local time, followed 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock 45 km to the east at a depth of 6.2 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey . The tremors flattened dozens of buildings in the capital, caved in the roof of Simón Bolívar International Airport, and triggered regional tsunami warnings. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national state of emergency late Wednesday, urging citizens to remain calm as aftershocks continue to rattle the stricken region.
Rescue workers in Caracas described “critical” conditions, with damaged roads and communications infrastructure hampering efforts to reach survivors. “The situation is critical,” journalist Noris Argotte Soto reported from the capital . Local accounts spoke of entire neighbourhoods reduced to rubble, with residents recounting moments of sheer terror as buildings swayed and collapsed around them. “I thought the block would fall on top of me,” one Caracas resident told Digi24 .
Seismologists noted the rarity of such a powerful “earthquake doublet,” with the two tremors striking almost simultaneously and in close proximity. “It is truly striking; it is very unusual,” said Swedish seismologist Ari Tryggvason . The USGS issued a red alert, warning of “high casualties and extensive damage,” while officials in La Guaira declared a disaster zone as fears grow that the death toll could reach 100,000 .
Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, announced the dispatch of Luftwaffe aircraft to assist with evacuations and the transport of medical supplies, as international leaders expressed solidarity with Venezuela . The European Union and the United Nations have pledged immediate humanitarian support, while images of shattered infrastructure and desperate rescue efforts have drawn global attention.
With aftershocks expected to continue in the coming days, the full scale of the disaster remains unclear. Venezuelan authorities have warned that the number of casualties could climb sharply as search teams reach more affected areas.
Follow us for live European news
- 3
- 2
- 2
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1
- 1







