Twin Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela, Killing at Least 32 and Injuring Hundreds.

Caracas:

At least 32 people have been killed and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within a minute of each other, causing widespread destruction in the capital Caracas and the coastal state of La Guaira.

According to acting president Delcy Rodríguez, La Guaira, located north of Caracas, has been the hardest-hit region, with dozens of buildings collapsing. Emergency crews are continuing rescue operations amid fears that many people remain trapped beneath the rubble.

The earthquakes, measuring magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck at approximately 6:04 pm local time while Venezuelans were celebrating a national holiday. Authorities said many residents were at home when the tremors hit, increasing the risk of casualties.

In Caracas, rescue workers have reported hearing survivors calling for help from collapsed structures. Dramatic images and videos from affected areas show extensive damage to homes, hotels and public infrastructure. One ten-storey hotel in La Guaira collapsed entirely, while parts of an airport were also reportedly damaged.

Seismologists noted that both earthquakes were unusually shallow, occurring less than 30 kilometres beneath the Earth’s surface. Shallow earthquakes generally produce stronger ground shaking and can cause significantly greater damage than deeper quakes.

The United States Geological Survey has warned that the eventual death toll could rise substantially, with preliminary estimates suggesting the potential for thousands of fatalities if widespread structural failures are confirmed.

International leaders have expressed solidarity with Venezuela. Emmanuel Macron, Pedro Sánchez and other world leaders offered condolences and assistance. The United States, China and El Salvador have also pledged emergency aid, rescue teams and humanitarian support.

Authorities have declared a state of emergency as search-and-rescue operations continue across the affected regions.