Thousands of Venezuelans are feared dead after two powerful earthquakes wreaked havoc in and around the capital Caracas, trapping people beneath the rubble of collapsed buildings and setting off powerful aftershocks.
So far 32 people have been confirmed dead and 700 injured after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit about 160 km (100 miles) west of Caracas.
It was followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 quake, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Emergency workers continue to search the debris of collapsed buildings.
Venezuela interim president Delcy Rodriguez has said the initial casualty figures do not include those from worst-affected La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the city’s airport, which has been closed.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as God allows us to save,” she said in an appearance on state television just before 1 a.m. local time (0500 GMT) yesterday.
The U.S. Geological Survey, using predictive modeling to estimate the death toll, said it would most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.
A website we mentioned earlier, set up to track missing people, listed more than 10,000 people as unaccounted for at 5:40 a.m. in Venezuela (0940 GMT).
Meanwhile, Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado posted on X, saying her prayers were with Venezuelans in these “hours of anguish.”
“May strength, serenity and solidarity prevail among us in this difficult moment,” she said.
Machado left Venezuela in December, defying a decade-long travel ban to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, after mainly living in hiding for more than a year following disputed elections in 2024.
Maduro was declared the winner in those elections over opposition candidate Edmundo González, leading to countrywide protests. Machado had been barred from running for office.
González, who has been exiled in Spain since September 2025, also posted on X about the earthquakes.
He said Venezuela does not have the capacity to handle this disaster and will need international support.
“Venezuela will need international support. And it will need it because its own state has abandoned it,” the post continued.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said in a post on X that his government was assessing the situation in Caracas and offering assistance measures to help the recovery of those affected.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said 300 rescuers and paramedics, along with 50 tons of equipment, medicine, and essential supplies, are ready to head to Caracas.
Argentinian President Javier Milei said in an official statement posted on X that Argentina was closely monitoring the situation and stood ready to help provide humanitarian assistance.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico was preparing the necessary support with specialised rescue and medical personnel. –Reuters
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