The death toll from the devastating earthquakes that struck Venezuela has risen to 164, while at least 971 people have been injured, according to authorities. Rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings and debris, with officials warning that the number of casualties is likely to increase in the coming days as more affected areas are reached.
The disaster began when two powerful earthquakes struck northern Venezuela within less than a minute of each other. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the first quake measured 7.2 in magnitude and was followed by a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor. The epicenters were located near the Caribbean coast west of Caracas, causing widespread destruction across the capital and surrounding regions.
The coastal state of La Guaira, north of Caracas, has emerged as one of the worst-hit areas. Buildings collapsed, roads were damaged, and power outages disrupted rescue efforts. Thousands of residents were forced to spend the night outdoors as aftershocks continued to shake the region. Emergency responders have been working around the clock to locate survivors trapped beneath the rubble.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced the deployment of additional rescue personnel and emergency resources to affected regions. Authorities have also established temporary shelters for displaced families and launched a reconstruction fund to support recovery efforts.
The USGS issued its highest-level alert following the earthquake sequence, warning that severe casualties and significant economic damage were likely. Experts described the event as one of the strongest earthquakes to strike Venezuela in modern history. According to USGS data, the 7.5-magnitude quake was the country’s most powerful earthquake since 1900, highlighting the extraordinary scale of the disaster.
International assistance has begun arriving from several countries and humanitarian organizations. The United Nations and multiple governments have pledged support, including search-and-rescue teams, medical supplies, and emergency aid. Meanwhile, officials continue urging residents to remain cautious as aftershocks remain possible.
As rescue operations enter a critical phase, families across Venezuela continue searching for missing loved ones. With thousands feared displaced and many communities still assessing the damage, authorities expect the full scale of the tragedy to become clearer in the days ahead.
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