At least 30 people have been confirmed dead and more than 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, triggering widespread destruction and the collapse of several buildings in the capital, Caracas, and other parts of the country.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck approximately 160 kilometres west of Caracas before a second, stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor hit less than a minute later. The back-to-back quakes sent residents fleeing into the streets as buildings shook violently across affected areas.
Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodríguez, confirmed the figures however, emergency response teams have since been deployed to conduct search-and-rescue operations in communities where structures collapsed and residents remain trapped beneath debris.
The USGS has warned that the scale of the disaster could be far greater, estimating a potential risk of more than 10,000 fatalities based on the strength of the earthquakes and population exposure in the affected zones.
The twin earthquakes caused extensive damage to homes, commercial buildings and public infrastructure, with several areas experiencing power outages and communication disruptions. Rescue workers have been racing against time to locate survivors as aftershocks continue to pose additional risks.
Meanwhile, international concern has grown over the humanitarian impact of the disaster. United States President Donald Trump described the situation as potentially catastrophic, warning that there could be a “devastating number of deaths” as assessments of the damage continue.
President Trump also offered assistance to Venezuela in the wake of the tragedy. The offer comes months after the U.S.-backed military operation that resulted in the removal of longtime Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from power in January.
