Venezuela is facing one of its most severe natural disasters in over a century after two powerful earthquakes struck the country's northern coast within seconds of each other on Wednesday evening.
The back-to-back quakes collapsed buildings, cracked roads, and sent residents fleeing into the streets across Caracas and surrounding states. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a nationwide state of emergency as rescue teams race to reach trapped survivors.
What Happened During the Venezuela Earthquakes
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck first near Morón, located west of Caracas along Venezuela's Caribbean coast. A stronger magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed less than a minute later, also centered near Morón.
Seismologists call this a "doublet" earthquake, a rare event where two large quakes strike in close succession.
The country's largest quake on record happened in 1900, when a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck off Venezuela's northern coast near Caracas. Wednesday's second quake ranks as the next largest in the country's history.
More than 20 aftershocks followed, according to seismic monitoring agencies.
Why the Damage Was So Severe
A structural engineer told CNN that much of the damage stems from older buildings constructed under outdated building codes, likely before the early 1970s. Concrete structures from that era are far more vulnerable to collapse during major shaking.
A U.S. seismologist warned the event combined an unusually large quake with a densely populated area, raising the likelihood of significant casualties.
Death Toll and Damage Across Venezuela
President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed at least 32 deaths and more than 700 injuries as of early Thursday, with officials warning the toll is likely to climb.
Key impacts so far:
- La Guaira state: Up to 15 buildings collapsed, making it the hardest-hit region, and it has since been declared a disaster zone.
- Falcón state: Rescue crews searched for 15 people trapped in rubble, with 35 others injured.
- Caracas: The Altamira neighborhood reported collapsed homes and buildings with injuries.
- Tsunami warning: A tsunami threat was briefly issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, then withdrawn about an hour later.
Government and International Response
Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency shortly after the quakes struck, suspending classes and non-essential activities while deploying military and rescue personnel.
Rescue teams from the United States, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, and Qatar are being mobilized to assist response efforts.
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged support, saying agencies had been instructed to prepare to move quickly to help.
Safety Measures Underway
Authorities suspended gas services in parts of Caracas as a precaution against leaks and fires, with crews inspecting pipelines before restoring service.
