Massive Twin Earthquakes Rock Venezuela, Buildings Collapse in Caracas

Venezuela was struck Wednesday evening by two powerful earthquakes in rapid succession, sending buildings crashing down in Caracas, damaging key infrastructure and triggering a nationwide emergency response as rescue teams searched for survivors trapped under rubble.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the first earthquake registered magnitude 7.2 and was followed less than a minute later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor. The epicenter was located west of Caracas, near Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, at a shallow depth that intensified the shaking across populated areas.

The USGS issued a severe alert warning that high casualties and extensive damage were probable. Officials in Caracas have not yet released a confirmed national death toll, but local reports described collapsed residential buildings, injured residents and emergency crews working into the night.

Interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and said authorities had activated rescue and medical networks across the country. She urged residents to remain calm, avoid damaged buildings and follow instructions from emergency services.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said several homes and buildings had collapsed and warned that aftershocks could bring down structures already weakened by the initial tremors. Areas including Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda, Aragua, Carabobo, Yaracuy and Trujillo were reported to have felt strong shaking.

In Caracas, some of the worst scenes emerged from neighborhoods where apartment buildings partially or fully collapsed. Witnesses described residents fleeing into the streets as walls cracked, dust clouds rose over the city and rescuers climbed through debris in search of survivors.

The damage extended to transportation infrastructure. Venezuela’s main international airport near Caracas reportedly suffered serious damage, and authorities suspended flights. Metro and rail services were also halted, while schools were suspended as officials assessed the scope of the disaster.

A tsunami threat was briefly issued for parts of the Caribbean after the quakes but was later withdrawn. Authorities nevertheless urged residents in damaged coastal areas to remain alert and stay away from unstable structures.

The disaster comes as Venezuela is already struggling with a prolonged economic crisis, shortages, power problems and weakened public infrastructure. That raises the possibility that the earthquake response will require international assistance, particularly if casualty numbers rise and damage proves as widespread as early alerts suggest.

There were no immediate confirmed reports of major damage to Venezuela’s oil infrastructure, though companies and officials were still assessing facilities, refineries and ports. Any disruption to energy facilities could deepen the economic impact of the disaster.

International reaction began arriving within hours. Regional leaders and foreign governments expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people, while rescue and humanitarian assistance offers were expected to increase as the scale of destruction becomes clearer.

The earthquakes are among the most powerful to hit Venezuela in modern history. The country has experienced damaging seismic events before, including the 1967 Caracas earthquake, but the combination of magnitude, shallow depth and heavy exposure in populated areas has raised fears that Wednesday’s disaster could become one of the country’s worst natural catastrophes.

The situation remains developing.