Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday evening, killing at least 235 people and leaving thousands feared missing as the scale of destruction became apparent through aerial images. The tremors, measuring magnitudes 7.1 and 7.5 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, flattened buildings and caused widespread damage, particularly near the coast.
In the capital, Caracas, buildings crumbled, and parts of the Simón Bolívar International Airport collapsed, leading to its closure and the cancellation of flights. Residents described terrifying experiences as apartment blocks swayed, walls collapsed, and dust clouds rose over the city. "The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong," said Caracas resident Roberto Damas. "We were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell."
Emergency workers were seen clambering through the ruins of collapsed structures as a desperate search for survivors continued into the night. In the coastal state of Falcon, Governor Víctor Clark reported 32 hospitalizations and said 15 people were trapped hours after the main quake. The government declared a state of emergency.
Venezuelan interim president Delcy Rodríguez confirmed on Thursday morning that the death toll had risen to 164, with at least 700 injured. She warned that the toll was expected to increase as rescuers reached more devastated areas. "High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread," the U.S. Geological Survey stated, estimating that the death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000.
President Donald Trump announced that the United States was preparing to offer assistance. "The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help! I have instructed all agencies of our government to get ready to move quickly," Trump wrote on Truth Social. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the State Department was "immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela."
The tremors struck on Wednesday evening, a public holiday in Venezuela commemorating the Battle of Carabobo. While earthquakes are unusual in the region, which straddles the South American and Caribbean plates, the quakes were felt as far away as Bogotá, Colombia. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat for nearby coastal areas, though later reports indicated no tsunami danger.
Offers of aid also came from other countries, including Chile and El Salvador. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa ordered the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, buildings in some Brazilian cities, including Manaus, were evacuated as a precaution after feeling the tremors.
The Ministry of Education announced that school classes would be canceled for several days, with some school buildings designated as shelters and donation centers. The lack of cellphone signal in affected areas exacerbated the distress for many families, especially those with relatives abroad among the millions who have left Venezuela.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello confirmed damage in several states, noting "alarming situations" in Caracas's Altamira neighborhood and urging residents to remain outside due to the risk of aftershocks. He advised people to check on neighbors, particularly children and the elderly.
Footage shared by state-run VTV early Thursday showed three children rescued from rubble in hard-hit La Guaira. A hospital in Tucacas also reportedly suffered damage. The U.S. embassy in Caracas advised its citizens to avoid damaged areas and seek secure shelter.
