Rescuers race to find Venezuela quake survivors: What we know so far
Rescuers race to find Venezuela quake – Two major earthquakes rattled Caracas, Venezuela’s capital, on Wednesday evening, triggering widespread panic and collapsing structures. At least 32 people have been confirmed dead, with approximately 700 others reported injured, according to the country’s interim president, Delcy Rodríguez. The quakes struck just minutes apart, with the second event measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, one of the strongest in Venezuela’s history.
Shaking and Collapse in the Capital
The tremors occurred around 18:04 local time, affecting Caracas and its surrounding regions. The first quake, at 7.2 magnitude, originated in Yaracuy, a state west of the capital, at a depth of 22 kilometers. Thirty-nine seconds later, a more powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit nearby, occurring at a shallower depth of about 10 kilometers. Both epicenters were located outside Caracas but were felt strongly within the city, causing buildings to shake and some to crumble.
“I saw the windows moving,”
one Venezuelan recounted, describing the chaos as the tremors struck. The quakes were felt as far as Bogotá, Colombia, over 1,000 kilometers away. More than 20 aftershocks have since been recorded, primarily impacting Venezuela’s northern coastline, including La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo, and Falcón.
Emergency Measures and Rescue Efforts
In response, Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, halting airport, rail, and transport services. Rescuers are now working swiftly to locate survivors trapped under rubble, with fears that the death toll could increase. The USGS highlighted that the region’s vulnerability, due to older construction materials like reinforced brick and adobe, raises concerns about further damage.
The mayor of Chacao, Gustavo Duque Saez, reported that two buildings in his municipality had fully collapsed. He stated that 18 individuals were rescued alive, while over 500 emergency personnel are still active at the scene. Meanwhile, Venezuelans are taking refuge in the streets as authorities warn of unstable structures and potential gas line disruptions.
International Aid and Ongoing Challenges
Washington has pledged support, with President Donald Trump calling the situation “devastating” and vowing assistance. “We will be there for our new and great friends,” he said on Truth Social, noting that initial reports are “not good.” Neighboring Latin American nations, including El Salvador, have also offered aid, with President Nayib Bukele announcing 50 tonnes of supplies and equipment are prepared.
Essential services are disrupted: fuel supplies to Caracas have been cut, and internet outages are reported. Maiquetía airport, a key international hub near the capital, has been closed. Metro and train systems nationwide are suspended, and schools are closed for the rest of the week. The full scale of destruction remains under assessment, though videos show debris scattered across streets and rescuers digging through rubble in search of survivors.
