At least 32 people were killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, according to Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, AP reported. Authorities warned the death toll could increase as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed structures and reach isolated communities.
The back-to-back earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, hit shortly after 6 p.m., causing widespread destruction across several regions. Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency and said the official casualty count did not yet include La Guaira, the area most severely affected.
La Guaira, located north of Caracas, suffered extensive damage, with dozens of buildings reduced to rubble. Emergency crews were conducting large-scale rescue operations in an effort to locate survivors.
The tremors, among the strongest recorded in Venezuela in more than a century, were felt across much of northern South America, with reports reaching Brazil’s Amazon region. Critical infrastructure was also impacted. Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas was forced to close after sustaining damage, while subway and natural gas services in the capital were suspended.
Schools will remain closed for several days, and some educational facilities will serve as temporary shelters and aid distribution centers. Officials urged residents to remain calm and support ongoing emergency response efforts.
