Powerful twin earthquakes have struck Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and surrounding areas. Two tremors—measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude—were felt on Wednesday night within a span of just thirty-nine seconds, causing the collapse of numerous high-rise buildings. Following this catastrophic natural disaster, Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, declared a national state of emergency. NDTV Online reported this news.
The epicenter of the first earthquake was near the town of Morón, approximately 168 kilometers west of Caracas, at a depth of 21.9 kilometers. The US Geological Survey (USGS) described the event as a combination of a foreshock and a mainshock. The main earthquake—measuring 7.5 in magnitude and striking just thirty-nine seconds after the first—occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. Subsequently, more than 20 aftershocks were recorded, sparking extreme panic among the public.
Although neither Delcy Rodríguez nor the government administration has yet released a specific casualty count, the USGS’s preliminary damage assessment model, PAGER, indicates a potential death toll ranging from 10,000 to 100,000. Gustavo Duque, mayor of the Chacao municipality in Caracas, reported that several buildings had collapsed there, with 18 survivors rescued from a single building. Víctor Clark, the governor of Falcón state, stated that at least thirty-two people had been hospitalized and rescue operations were underway to free individuals trapped beneath collapsed structures. Simón Bolívar International Airport, the country’s primary international gateway, sustained severe damage; all flight operations were suspended after a section of the terminal roof collapsed.
Additionally, orders have been issued to keep all educational institutions across the country closed for the next few days. The interim president has called upon all healthcare workers in the country to report to hospitals immediately to provide emergency medical aid to the injured. Meanwhile, the United States has pledged to stand by Venezuela during this difficult time and has initiated the process of sending emergency aid. Christopher Landau, a senior official at the State Department, expressed solidarity with the Venezuelan people and assured them of US support in a message. Heidi Romero, a business owner who was on the top floor of a Caracas shopping center during the earthquake, described the terrifying moment: “It was unbelievable; I don’t even know how long it lasted.”
“We were evacuated via the emergency stairs.” Roberto Gamas, a Caracas resident, recounted his experience moving from his building to a safe location, saying, “The building was literally swaying from side to side. It was an incredible sensation; the intensity of the tremors was immense. Everything around us was being tossed about as we walked. Everything in the apartment fell to the floor. Fortunately, we managed to get out in the end.” Koro Martinez, a 56-year-old resident of East Caracas, reported hearing a sudden, loud noise and seeing household items crashing down. “There was a massive crashing sound,” she said. “Everything in the house and the containers inside the refrigerator fell over. I have never experienced anything like this in my life.”
Maria Romero, an 80-year-old pensioner from South Caracas, managed to leave her home with the help of the police. Reflecting on the event, she said, “This earthquake was truly terrifying; it was even more dangerous than the devastating earthquake of 1967.” Another woman, aged 41, said she received a warning alert on her mobile phone just moments before the shaking intensified. “I was holding the phone and trying to listen to the message when I first felt a slight tremor,” she said.
“Then, in less than two seconds, everything began to shake violently.” Video footage of Simón Bolívar International Airport circulating on social media shows passengers rushing out of the terminal building in panic—clutching their luggage—as the structure shook and power outages created clouds of dust. Many sought refuge under a food counter inside the airport to save their lives. Another scene captures a man emerging from the damaged building, carrying his two pet dogs in his arms alongside himself. The intense tremors also triggered landslides in the mountains.
