CARACAS/WASHINGTON (MNN); Venezuela has been plunged into a major humanitarian crisis after two powerful earthquakes struck near the capital, Caracas, causing widespread devastation and leaving thousands feared dead beneath collapsed buildings and debris.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck approximately 160 kilometers west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon. Less than a minute later, a second and even stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor shook the region, triggering powerful aftershocks and causing extensive destruction across central and northern Venezuela.
Emergency responders worked through the night searching for survivors trapped under collapsed structures, while anxious relatives gathered near disaster sites hoping for news of missing loved ones. Rescue workers were seen pulling injured residents from the rubble as hospitals struggled to cope with the growing number of casualties.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed that at least 164 people had been killed and nearly 1,000 injured, warning that the death toll was expected to rise significantly as rescue teams reached heavily affected areas. The government has deployed heavy machinery and emergency resources in coordination with private-sector partners to accelerate rescue operations.
The coastal state of La Guaira, home to Caracas’ main international airport, emerged as one of the worst-hit regions. Videos shared by witnesses showed ceilings collapsing inside airport terminals and extensive damage to buildings along the waterfront. Rodriguez described the state as a “disaster zone” and said dozens of buildings had collapsed.
Near the earthquake’s epicenter in the seaside town of Morón, located in Carabobo state, residents faced severe shortages of water and electricity. Local authorities reported at least eight deaths in the area, including three children. Survivors described scenes of panic and terror as homes crumbled around them.
“It felt like all those houses were collapsing on top of us,” said 29-year-old resident Geilin Morales, whose home was destroyed shortly after she evacuated with her husband and young daughter.
The USGS warned that the final death toll could reach several thousand, with predictive models indicating a significant possibility that fatalities may exceed 10,000. Meanwhile, an online platform established by opposition leaders reported more than 24,000 people missing as of Thursday morning.
Many Venezuelans were inside their homes when the earthquakes struck during a public holiday. Residents across Caracas described hearing loud crashes, witnessing buildings sway violently, and rushing down stairwells as frightened neighbors screamed and fled.
The disaster has further strained a country already facing economic hardship, deteriorating infrastructure, and an ongoing humanitarian crisis. United Nations officials noted that nearly eight million Venezuelans required humanitarian assistance even before the earthquakes occurred.
Governments and aid organizations around the world quickly offered assistance. The United Nations announced the rapid deployment of international rescue teams, while Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, China, Iran, Mexico, Brazil, El Salvador, Cuba, Chile and several other countries pledged personnel, equipment, medical support, and financial aid.
US President Donald Trump described the loss of life as “devastating,” while Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that American rescue teams and military assets were being dispatched to assist recovery efforts.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies released $2.5 million in emergency funding to support relief operations. Rescue specialists, search dogs, medical teams, and humanitarian supplies are expected to arrive in Venezuela over the coming days.
Authorities have suspended school classes, closed the Caracas Stock Exchange, and converted key facilities into emergency coordination centers. Despite suffering damage to its own headquarters, the Venezuelan Red Cross has deployed teams to the hardest-hit areas.
The earthquakes struck along a seismically active zone where the Caribbean Plate meets the South American Plate. Venezuela has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past, including the 1812 disaster that killed an estimated 30,000 people and the 1967 Caracas earthquake that claimed hundreds of lives.
As rescue efforts continue, officials warn that the coming days will be critical in locating survivors and preventing a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
