By Blessing Nweke
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction in the capital Caracas and prompting authorities to declare a nationwide state of emergency as rescue teams searched for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit first, followed just 39 seconds later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor. The epicenter was located west of Caracas along Venezuela’s Caribbean coast, and the shaking was felt across several regions of the country. Scientists warned that the disaster could result in heavy casualties and extensive damage.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced a state of emergency and said the government would seek assistance from international organizations to support recovery efforts. She urged citizens to remain calm, avoid damaged buildings and prepare for possible aftershocks.
Emergency workers were deployed across Caracas, where several residential and commercial buildings collapsed. Witnesses described scenes of panic as residents rushed into the streets while dust clouds rose above damaged neighborhoods. Rescue crews worked through the night to locate people believed to be trapped under rubble.
Authorities reported injuries in several areas, while hospitals prepared for a surge of patients. Venezuela’s main international airport near Caracas was temporarily closed after suffering damage, and public transportation services, including metro and rail systems, were suspended. Schools were also closed for the remainder of the week.
A tsunami warning issued for parts of the Caribbean was later withdrawn. International offers of assistance began arriving as officials continued assessing the scale of the disaster. The USGS warned that the earthquakes could rank among the most destructive seismic events to strike Venezuela in decades.
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