Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two back-to-back earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck, killing at least 32 people.
Venezuela was struck by the quakes as it was marking a national holiday commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency in an address to the nation and said that the quakes caused damage in several states.
A major search and rescue operation is under way after the quakes caused widespread damage, especially in the capital, Caracas. Emergency crews are searching through the rubble of collapsed buildings while authorities closed the country’s main airport in Caracas, suspended classes and mobilised health workers to respond to the disaster.
The U.S. Geological Survey initially said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, later revising that to 7.2. Its epicenter was west of Morón on the country’s Caribbean coast about 168 kilometers (104 miles) west of Caracas. The quake had a depth of 22 kilometers (13.6 miles).The USGS reported an even larger 7.5-magnitude earthquake just a minute later. The second quake had a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) with an epicenter 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Morón. In the coastal state of Falcon, Gov. Víctor Clark said that 32 people had been hospitalized and there were 15 people trapped in the hours after the earthquake.
The earthquakes, among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century, roiled the region, with buildings evacuated in cities and areas impacted as far as Brazil’s Amazon about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Venezuela’s capital Caracas.
The earthquakes damaged and closed Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas, the country’s main airport, Rodríguez said, adding that subway and natural gas services in Caracas were canceled. She urged Venezuelans to report any damages through a government app.
Rodríguez said that school classes would be canceled for several days. The Ministry of Education said some school buildings would be used as shelters and donation centers.“We urge our population to remain calm,” said Rodríguez, who asked health care professionals to report to hospitals to assist the injured, adding, “We urge unity.”
Powerful back-to-back earthquakes that struck Venezuela killed at least 32 people and injured at least 700, the nation’s Acting President said, as communities across the South American country sustained damage. Rodríguez warned the toll was expected to rise as rescuers search collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach devastated areas.
The casualty figures released early today excluded the state of La Guaira, which Rodríguez described as a “disaster zone” and the area hardest hit. “Dozens of buildings have collapsed there, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Caracas, and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she said. She called the incident “a true tragedy” and sent the government’s “message of solidarity and to those families who have lost loved ones.”
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said that gas supplies have been temporarily cut off for safety reasons as authorities assess earthquake damage.
“We have some damaged structures, and we do not want any kind of gas-related accident to occur. We have ordered the temporary shutdown of gas service until we complete our assessment.”
Diosdado Cabello
Offers Of International Assistance
Offers of help were made by various governments including the United States, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay.
President Donald Trump said on his Truth Social platform that the US “stands ready, willing, and able to help!”
“I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends.”
Donald Trump
Earlier, officials from the Trump administration said Washington will send search and rescue teams, medical supplies and other humanitarian assistance. U.S. Secretary of State Rubio said in a post on X that the United States is “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.” Jeremy P. Lewin, the U.S. Undersecretary of state for foreign assistance, said the State Department had mobilized a disaster assistance team and task force to coordinate aid in coordination with the interim Venezuelan government.
Rodríguez said that Qatar had already sent rescuers who were expected in Venezuela the next day, along with rescue personnel from Mexico and El Salvador. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, once diametrically opposed to Venezuela’s government, said in a post on X that he had offered aid. “We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela,” Bukele wrote.
Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said he had ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to help respond to the emergency. “Ecuador will respond with the speed and commitment this moment demands because, despite our enormous differences, humanity must always guide the actions of a leader,” Noboa wrote.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, who less than a week ago declared a state of emergency in his country following weeks of anti-government protests, said his country stood ready to provide any needed assistance. The administration of Brazil President Luiz Inácio da Silva expressed solidarity and said no Brazilians reported being injured.
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