Venezuela declares state of emergency after powerful earthquakes

Venezuela’s interim government declared a state of emergency on Wednesday after two powerful earthquakes caused serious damage in the capital city, Caracas, and forced the closure of the country’s main airport.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck about 160 kilometers west of Caracas. Less than a minute later, a second and stronger 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit the area.

The USGS warned that “High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.” The agency first estimated that the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people.

Officials have not yet released official numbers for deaths or injuries. However, local authorities reported collapsed buildings, rescue operations, and many injured people.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said, “We have buildings, homes and houses which have collapsed and we are taking care of things with everything we have available in terms of security, civil assistance.” He added that firefighters and police teams had been deployed.

Videos showed rescue workers searching through damaged buildings in Caracas as worried families waited for news about missing relatives.

In the Chacao area of Caracas, Mayor Gustavo Duque said two buildings collapsed, 16 people were injured, and there were deaths, though he did not provide an exact number. He said, “We’re going to do everything we can to rescue the most people possible.”

Residents Run into the Streets

Many people were at home because of a public holiday when the earthquakes struck.

Astrid Ramirez, a resident of Caracas, said, “As soon as it started, we began hearing people screaming. Everyone was running down the stairs.”

Another resident, Coro Martinez, said, “There was a very loud crash. Things fell in the house. I’ve never experienced anything like it.”

Maria Romero, an 80-year-old resident, said the earthquake was worse than the deadly 1967 quake that hit the city.

One woman said she received an earthquake warning on her phone moments before the shaking became stronger.

Government and International Response

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, who has been leading the country since the removal of President Nicolas Maduro in January, is overseeing the emergency response.

The US embassy in Caracas advised American citizens to stay in safe places and avoid damaged buildings.

US President Donald Trump said the earthquakes had caused “a devastating number of deaths,” although no official casualty figures have been released. He said the United States was ready to help Venezuela and had instructed government agencies to prepare assistance.

Hospitals and Damage

Fire trucks and emergency teams were seen across Caracas. Some buildings suffered major damage to their outer walls.

At Hospital de Clinicas in Caracas, staff members were asked to work extra shifts to help treat injured people. Videos from the hospital showed damaged ceilings and fallen plaster.

Social media videos also appeared to show damage at the country’s main airport and in the coastal city of La Guaira, although these reports could not immediately be verified.

Several areas of Caracas canceled classes and public events while officials continued to assess the damage.

Tsunami Alert Canceled

The US Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami warning for Puerto Rico and the US and British Virgin Islands after the earthquakes. The warning also included Aruba, Curacao, and Bonaire. However, the warning was canceled about an hour later.

Venezuela is located in an earthquake-prone area where the Caribbean Plate meets the South American Plate. In 1812, a major earthquake killed an estimated 30,000 people in the country.