Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela less than a minute apart on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings across the capital city of Caracas and killing at least 164 people. According to Antigua.news, the twin quakes rank among the most powerful to hit the country in over a century.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez reported early Thursday that more than 971 individuals had been injured, revising an earlier toll given to state media. Those figures do not include potential casualties in La Guaira, north of Caracas, which Rodríguez described as a "true tragedy" and a "disaster zone."
The U.S. Geological Survey placed the epicenter of the first quake near San Felipe, approximately 100 miles west of Caracas. A second, more powerful quake measuring 7.5 in magnitude struck just 39 seconds later near Yumare. "High casualties and extensive damage are probable, and the disaster is likely widespread," the USGS stated. Both quakes occurred shortly after 6 p.m. local time.
The United States, China, Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico were among the countries and humanitarian organizations that pledged support. President Donald Trump announced on social media late Wednesday that he had "instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly. We will be there for our new and great friends. Early reports are not good!" Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the U.S. was "immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance."
Rodríguez expressed gratitude to Trump and the U.S. government for maintaining "permanent contact" with Venezuelan officials, and later confirmed she had spoken with Rubio by phone, though she did not disclose specifics. She also thanked global leaders who sent messages of support.
Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced on state television that Caracas's airport would be closed due to severe damage. Schools and non-essential activities were also suspended. She noted that 20 aftershocks had already been recorded and appealed for calm. "What I ask is that we act in national unity, with calm, and that we know that together we will overcome this tragedy," she said.
In Falcón state, Governor Víctor Clark reported that rescuers were searching for 15 missing individuals in the rubble and confirmed that 35 people had been injured in the area.
In the United States, seismologist Lucy Jones, a visiting professor at the California Institute of Technology, warned of the event's severity. "This is one of the really great, very difficult, very damaging earthquakes, because you combine a very large event with residences of a lot of people," Jones said in a video briefing.
In Caracas, residents evacuated swaying buildings and gathered outside, many in shock as entire walls collapsed and exposed furniture to the street. Dust clouds rose over two normally busy neighborhoods. A video verified by NBC News captured the dust billowing across the Caracas skyline.
"The scene was like a horror movie," said one woman who escaped her building. "We had to climb over the rubble and everything." Resident Roberto Damas described the intensity of the shaking: "The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong. We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out."
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents on state television to remain outdoors, warning that aftershocks could further compromise damaged structures. "We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts to help those who need it most," he said.
Aid organization World Vision announced it was activating its emergency response in Venezuela. Luis Colmenarez, a regional emergency specialist for the organization, said he was watching "Toy Story" with his sisters when the earthquake struck, and that the shaking lasted between two and three minutes. "It felt endless," he said.
The disaster compounds an already dire situation in Venezuela. The United Nations' humanitarian affairs agency reported that nearly 8 million of the country's 28 million citizens were in need of assistance as of May. Venezuela has also faced ongoing political tensions with the United States; Trump had previously ordered a military operation into the country in January to apprehend President Nicolás Maduro, who faces narcotics trafficking charges in the U.S.
