Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday afternoon, leaving thousands feared dead and causing widespread destruction in and around Caracas.
A magnitude 7.2 tremor hit approximately 160 kilometres west of the capital, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Emergency workers scrambled through the night searching for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings in Caracas. Dazed residents emerged from debris, while distraught relatives desperately sought help for loved ones.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez confirmed at least 164 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries, describing La Guaira state home to the capital’s airport as “a true tragedy” and “a disaster zone.” Rescue efforts continued intensively throughout the night.
The USGS estimated the death toll could reach thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000. An opposition-led website tracking missing people listed over 10,000 unaccounted for.
The UN’s Venezuela human rights mission urged the government to lift social media restrictions, calling it “a matter of life and death” as authorities struggled to respond amid years of economic mismanagement.
