Venezuela rocked by twin magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquakes, causing dozens of deaths and massive damage

Venezuela declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 struck on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people.

A large‑scale search‑and‑rescue operation is now underway as the quakes caused extensive damage, especially in the capital Caracas.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) warned that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable.” President Donald Trump said the quakes – among the strongest in more than a century – have left “a devastating number of deaths.”

What happened in Venezuela?

Venezuela was struck by the two powerful earthquakes at approximately 6:04 p.m. local time (22:04 GMT) on Wednesday while the nation was commemorating the 1821 Battle of Carabobo.

The government imposed a state of emergency, and Acting President Delcy Rodriguez called on doctors, nurses and other health workers to report immediately to hospitals and clinics to assist the injured.

In a report from Bogotá, Colombia, Al Jazeera’s Teresa Bo said the worst damage was in Caracas’s Altamira district, where rescuers pulled survivors from the rubble of a 22‑storey building as families searched for missing loved ones. Officials say the full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

What do we know about the victims and the death toll?

Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez reported that at least 32 people have been killed and roughly 700 injured in the earthquakes and a series of nearly two dozen aftershocks.

Authorities have not yet released a detailed breakdown of the victims by age, gender or location, and officials warn that the casualty figures are likely to rise as rescue efforts continue.

The Altamira and El Paraíso neighborhoods of Caracas are the hardest hit, with additional damage reported in La Guaira and other central regions of Venezuela.

The USGS cautioned that the final death toll could rise sharply because many structures in the affected area are built from reinforced masonry and adobe, which are especially vulnerable to strong shaking.

Its latest PAGER assessment estimates a 39 % probability that fatalities could reach between 1,000 and 10,000, and a 37 % probability of between 10,000 and 100,000 deaths. These are statistical forecasts intended for emergency planning and are not confirmed casualty figures.

Where were the epicentres?

The twin earthquakes originated in Yaracuy state, west of Caracas, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The first quake, a magnitude 7.2, struck at a depth of 22 km, followed less than a minute later by an even larger 7.5‑magnitude tremor at about 10 km depth.

Although the epicentres were outside the capital, shaking was felt across Caracas and much of central and western Venezuela, including the states of Carabobo, Miranda, La Guaira and Trujillo. Tremors were also reported in neighboring Colombia and as far away as Brazil’s Amazon region, over 1,700 km (1,050 mi) from Caracas.

What has been the impact?

The twin earthquakes caused widespread destruction across Venezuela, collapsing buildings, damaging infrastructure and sending residents into the streets in panic. Rodriguez said several states were affected by the tremors.

The government closed Simón Bolívar International Airport in Caracas due to damage, suspended classes for several days and urged the public to remain calm.

Search‑and‑rescue teams continue to operate in the hardest‑hit areas as authorities assess the full scale of the devastation. Experts warn that strong aftershocks are still possible in the coming days.

How has the international community reacted?

Governments across the Americas have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and begun mobilising humanitarian assistance following the twin earthquakes.

United States: President Trump said the U.S. “stands ready, willing, and able to help!” and instructed all agencies to prepare for rapid deployment. Earlier, U.S. officials confirmed that Washington will send search‑and‑rescue teams, medical supplies and other humanitarian aid.

El Salvador: President Nayib Bukele announced that his country is preparing to dispatch 300 rescuers and paramedics, together with 50 tonnes of medical supplies and emergency equipment.

Ecuador and Panama: Both governments announced humanitarian assistance, with Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa emphasizing that humanitarian concerns should take precedence despite political differences.

Mexico and Brazil: The two nations expressed solidarity with Venezuela, said they were closely monitoring the situation and reported no immediate impact on their citizens.

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