By Swift Reporter
Venezuela is reeling from a catastrophic double earthquake that struck within minutes of each other on Wednesday evening, killing at least 32 people and injuring more than 700 others as rescue teams continue to dig through collapsed buildings in search of survivors.
According to the Associated Press, the two powerful tremors hit shortly after 6 pm local time, shaking multiple regions across the country and leaving widespread destruction in their wake. Authorities warned that the death toll is expected to rise as emergency operations continue in the hardest-hit areas.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed that entire communities had been devastated, declaring a nationwide state of emergency as the scale of destruction became clearer.
“The figures do not yet include La Guaira, which has suffered the most severe impact,” Rodríguez said, adding that dozens of buildings had collapsed in the coastal state located about 30 kilometres north of Caracas. “We are carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives.”
State television broadcast dramatic scenes from La Guaira showing rescue workers pulling three children alive from the rubble. The children were covered in dust but appeared unharmed, offering rare moments of hope amid widespread devastation.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, struck offshore near Morón at a depth of 22 kilometres. Just one minute later, a stronger 7.5 magnitude quake followed in the same region at a shallower depth of 10 kilometres, intensifying the destruction across already vulnerable structures.
The twin shocks triggered the collapse of residential and commercial buildings, damaged a hospital in Tucacas northwest of Caracas, and disrupted critical infrastructure nationwide. Simón Bolívar International Airport was forced to shut down after sustaining damage, while subway operations and natural gas services in the capital were suspended.
Schools across the country were closed for several days, with some buildings being converted into emergency shelters and donation centres for displaced families.
As aftershocks continued to rattle affected areas, authorities urged residents to remain vigilant, warning that additional structural collapses could occur.
The disaster was also felt beyond Venezuela’s borders, prompting evacuations in parts of Brazil and shaking communities in Colombia. Temporary tsunami alerts issued shortly after the quakes were later lifted.
International support began to mobilise rapidly. Countries including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, and Qatar announced assistance, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the deployment of search-and-rescue teams and emergency medical supplies.
Leaders across the region expressed solidarity with Venezuela. Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said humanitarian aid had already been dispatched, stressing that global cooperation was essential in responding to the crisis.
As rescue operations intensify, Venezuela now faces a long and difficult recovery, with entire communities displaced and critical infrastructure severely damaged. Authorities say the priority remains saving lives as crews continue working around the clock in unstable and dangerous conditions.
For many Venezuelans, the twin earthquakes have left not only physical destruction but also a national tragedy that will take years to recover from.
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