Venezuela has declared a nationwide state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck the country in quick succession, causing widespread destruction and raising fears of a major humanitarian crisis.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck near San Felipe, approximately 284 kilometers west of Caracas, at 22:04 GMT on Wednesday. Moments later, a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake hit near Yumare, around 293 kilometers west of the capital.
The powerful tremors damaged buildings across Caracas and other affected regions, prompting authorities to launch emergency response operations and assess the full extent of the devastation.
Addressing the nation, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez announced a state of emergency and urged citizens to remain calm and follow safety instructions.
“We ask the population to remain calm and united,” Rodríguez said during a televised address.
She revealed that the country’s main airport had been closed after sustaining severe damage, while metro and rail services were suspended as a precaution. Residents were also urged to evacuate damaged buildings and avoid unsafe structures.
Although officials have not yet released confirmed casualty figures, Rodríguez expressed condolences to families affected by the disaster. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that the death toll could range between 10,000 and 100,000 people, highlighting the potential scale of the catastrophe.
The earthquakes struck on a national public holiday commemorating a key victory in Venezuela’s 1821 war of independence from Spain, meaning many residents were at home when the disaster occurred.
Emergency crews continue search-and-rescue efforts as authorities work to determine the full impact of one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in recent years.
