Venezuela is experiencing a significant crisis following powerful earthquakes that have claimed at least 32 lives and injured approximately 700 people. The tremors, described as the worst in a century for the nation, have caused substantial damage, with rescuers actively searching through rubble for survivors.
President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a state of emergency, mobilizing additional resources and personnel for recovery operations. She extended condolences to the victims, although a precise death toll has not been officially specified beyond the reported figures. In the Chacao municipality, part of the greater Caracas metropolitan area, at least two buildings have completely collapsed. Emergency services reported rescuing 18 individuals alive from these structures, with over 500 personnel continuing efforts to extract more residents.
The interior ministry has advised citizens to evacuate their homes due to concerns about the structural integrity of buildings and potential damage to gas lines. The capital city has experienced disruptions, including cut-off fuel supplies and reported internet blackouts. Maiquetía, Venezuela's main international airport near Caracas, has been temporarily closed due to earthquake-related damage. Metro and train services nationwide have been suspended, and educational institutions will close for the remainder of the week, according to Rodríguez.
Images from affected areas show debris scattered across streets and significant structural damage to buildings, highlighting the scale of the devastation. Rescuers are seen working in challenging conditions, digging through collapsed structures in desperate attempts to locate those trapped.