Massive twin earthquakes struck near Caracas, leaving widespread destruction, hundreds dead, thousands missing, and authorities warning the casualty count could rise sharply.
Venezuela is facing one of its worst natural disasters in decades after two powerful earthquakes struck within seconds of each other near Caracas on Friday evening, causing catastrophic destruction and prompting fears that the death toll could climb dramatically.
The twin earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, triggered the collapse of residential buildings, offices, and other structures, trapping hundreds of people beneath the rubble. Emergency officials have confirmed at least 235 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries, while over 10,000 people remain missing as search-and-rescue operations continue around the clock.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) described one of the earthquakes as the strongest to strike Venezuela since 1900. The agency warned that fatalities could eventually exceed 10,000, with the final toll expected to rise significantly as rescuers reach heavily damaged areas.
The powerful tremors struck at approximately 6:04 p.m. local time west of Caracas and were felt across much of Venezuela and as far away as Bogotá, Colombia. Because the disaster occurred during a national holiday, many residents were inside their homes, increasing the likelihood of heavy casualties.
The Venezuelan government declared a state of emergency, deploying rescue teams, medical personnel, and security forces to the affected regions. Power outages and communication failures have complicated emergency operations, while Maiquetía International Airport was temporarily closed after sustaining structural damage.
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