Venezuela earthquake death toll rises as rescue teams search collapsed buildings

Two powerful earthquakes struck western Venezuela on Wednesday, leaving at least 32 people dead and about 700 injured, according to the supplied reports. The tremors, measured at magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, hit within about a minute of each other and were followed by around 20 aftershocks. They caused building collapses, airport damage and widespread disruption, with the effects also felt in northern Brazil.

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Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency and ordered schools and non-essential services to be suspended so rescue work could take priority. More than 500 emergency teams were reported to be working through the rubble on Thursday, searching for survivors and trying to reach people trapped in collapsed structures. The Caribbean tsunami alert was later cancelled after about an hour, easing one immediate concern linked to the quakes.

The human and logistical impact has been severe, particularly in and around Caracas and Chacao, where deaths and at least 16 injuries were reported in one local account. Authorities also closed the main airport in the capital for safety inspections, while the metro system was suspended in earlier reports. Power outages were also mentioned, adding to the strain on emergency services and on residents trying to move, communicate and obtain help.

The disaster matters now because it has struck a densely populated and politically important part of the country, disrupting transport, public services and rescue coordination at the same time. The scale of the shaking has been described as among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century, which helps explain the level of concern among officials and international partners. The reports also show how quickly a major earthquake can overwhelm local infrastructure when it affects urban centres and surrounding regions at once.

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The epicentre was reported near Moron, about 170 kilometres west of Caracas, placing the strongest shaking close enough to affect the capital region and nearby communities. Residents in several Brazilian cities, including Belem, Manaus, Boa Vista and Macapa, also felt the tremors, underlining the wide reach of the seismic event. The combination of strong ground motion, repeated aftershocks and structural damage has made the search effort more difficult and has raised fears that the casualty count could still rise.

International reaction has been swift, with several governments and organisations offering humanitarian aid, medical supplies and rescue teams. The reports say the United States, China, Turkey, Mexico and Portugal were among those expressing solidarity or readiness to help, while Rodriguez said the first foreign rescuers were expected to arrive within hours. Such offers matter because major earthquakes often require specialised equipment, trained search personnel and medical support that can exceed local capacity in the first critical days.

The event also highlights Venezuela's exposure to a rare but high-impact natural hazard. The supplied reports describe the quakes as the worst in the country in around 100 years, which places them among the most serious emergencies in recent memory. That historical framing is important because it suggests the response may need to continue well beyond the first rescue phase, including damage assessment, shelter needs and restoration of essential services.

What remains unclear is the full extent of the destruction outside the main urban areas, the number of people still missing and how long transport and public services will remain disrupted. Officials have already warned that the death toll may rise as searches continue in collapsed buildings and more remote locations. The next developments to watch are updated casualty figures, the progress of rescue operations, and any further emergency measures or international assistance announcements.

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Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela within seconds of each other, causing building collapses, panic in the streets and a widening emergency response. The tremors were reported as magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, with Caracas among the hardest-hit areas. Survivors described broken glass, falling debris and people rushing outside as the shaking continued.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency, suspended classes and closed the country's main airport for safety inspections. Reports from the capital say rescue teams are searching through rubble after buildings collapsed, while firefighters and paramedics have been pulling people from damaged structures. Residents were also told to remain alert because of the risk of further aftershocks.

The immediate human toll remains unclear, but the scale of disruption is already significant. One report said thousands feared dead, while earlier figures cited at least 32 deaths and more than 700 injuries, showing how quickly the casualty count has been changing as rescue work continues. The closure of the airport and the suspension of normal activity in Caracas underline the seriousness of the emergency.

The earthquakes matter beyond the immediate damage because they have hit a densely populated urban area and disrupted key transport and public services. Caracas is a major political and economic centre, so any prolonged interruption can affect hospitals, supply chains and emergency coordination. The declaration of emergency measures also suggests officials are preparing for a prolonged response rather than a short-lived shock.

Witness accounts point to the speed and intensity of the event. One engineer in Caracas said the shaking felt like it lasted about a minute and described columns and beams moving as glass and fixtures fell inside his building. Another resident said a phone alert appeared moments before his apartment began shaking, and that he and his family fled downstairs as quickly as possible.

These accounts are consistent with a sudden, high-impact seismic event that left little time to react. What remains unclear is the full extent of the damage outside Caracas and how many people may still be trapped or unaccounted for. Officials have warned that the death toll could rise as searches continue in collapsed buildings and more remote areas.

The next developments to watch are updated casualty figures, the condition of the airport and other transport links, and any further emergency measures announced by the authorities.

Two powerful earthquakes have struck Venezuela near the coastal town of Moron, leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 700 injured. The quakes hit within a minute of each other and caused buildings to collapse, residents to flee into the streets, and major disruption in the capital region. Authorities said the country's main airport in Caracas was closed and the metro system was suspended after the tremors.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency late on Wednesday after the earthquakes, which were reported as magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5. The epicentre was near Moron, about 170km west of Caracas, according to the supplied reports. Rodriguez said early on Thursday that the death toll was expected to rise as rescuers searched collapsed structures and tried to reach remote areas.

The immediate impact has been severe, with power outages also reported alongside transport disruption. The closure of the airport and suspension of the metro underline the scale of the emergency in and around Caracas, where many people depend on both systems for movement and supply chains. Rescue teams are now working through damaged buildings, while officials continue to assess the extent of the destruction.

The quakes are significant not only because of the casualties, but also because they are described as among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century. Venezuela is generally considered less exposed to major seismic events than some other parts of Latin America, which makes the scale of this disaster especially notable. The combination of strong shaking, urban damage and infrastructure shutdown raises the risk of further disruption in the coming hours and days.

The emergency response is being led by the authorities under Rodriguez, with the focus on search and rescue, casualty treatment and restoring essential services. The reports indicate that collapsed structures remain a major concern, particularly where access is difficult. The situation also highlights the vulnerability of transport and power networks when a major earthquake strikes close to populated areas.

What remains unclear is the full extent of the damage outside the main urban centres and whether the casualty figures will rise further as rescue work continues. Officials have already warned that the death toll is likely to increase, suggesting many people may still be trapped or unaccounted for. The next developments to watch are updated casualty figures, the reopening of transport links and any further emergency measures announced by the government.

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