Two powerful earthquakes—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale—struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction. Buildings have collapsed in Caracas and surrounding areas, and reports indicate people are trapped under rubble. No official casualty figures have been released yet.
Emergency Declared, Airport Shut Down
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national state of emergency. She announced that Simón Bolívar International Airport—the main airport serving Caracas—suffered severe damage and its operations have been suspended indefinitely. Rodríguez expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones but avoided giving any numbers for deaths or injuries.
Authorities also suspended school classes and railway services across the country, according to Rodríguez’s announcement.
Seismic Details and Aftershocks
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake—a so-called ‘foreshock’ measuring 7.2—hit at 6:04 p.m. local time (1:04 a.m. Greek time) at a depth of 21.9 kilometers, roughly 200 kilometers west of Caracas. The second, stronger tremor—7.5 magnitude—followed just 39 seconds later at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers, about 45 kilometers from the first epicenter. Around 20 strong aftershocks were recorded afterward.
The USGS warned that this ‘double earthquake’ poses a high risk of ‘widespread destruction’ and potentially ‘thousands of fatalities.’
Rescue Efforts Underway Amid Chaos
In Caracas, AFP journalists witnessed search-and-rescue teams mobilizing around collapsed buildings. Rescue workers carried survivors out on stretchers and rushed them into ambulances.
An AFP correspondent reported seeing a 22-story residential building completely destroyed in the Altamira neighborhood. Outside the ruins, residents shouted names of missing relatives, while volunteers climbed over debris searching for survivors. ‘We need flashlights!’ one shouted as darkness fell.
Gas Supply Cut Off, Uncertainty in Affected Cities
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed building collapses in the capital and ordered an immediate halt to natural gas supply to prevent accidents. ‘Some structures have been damaged, and we want to avoid any gas-related incidents,’ he explained. He acknowledged injuries but, like other officials, provided no official count.
The situation remains unclear in Puerto Cabello and San Felipe—cities closer to the epicenter and home to more than 400,000 people.
Many terrified residents fled into the streets and remained there overnight, too afraid to return home amid fears of further collapses.