CARACAS, Venezuela — Venezuela has declared a state of emergency after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within seconds of each other, causing widespread destruction, collapsing buildings in the capital, and forcing the closure of the country’s main international airport.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez announced the emergency measures on Wednesday night after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake was followed just 39 seconds later by a stronger 7.5 tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). More than 20 aftershocks were recorded in the hours that followed.
The earthquakes triggered panic across Caracas, sending residents rushing into the streets as buildings shook violently and debris fell from damaged structures. Rescue teams and volunteers were deployed to search for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
An apartment building in Caracas’s Altamira district was among structures reported to have collapsed, while emergency responders worked through the night amid fears that additional aftershocks could worsen the damage.
Authorities have yet to release a confirmed death toll, although officials acknowledged fatalities, injuries, and significant property damage. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said several structures had been damaged and emergency operations were underway in the worst-hit regions.
The states of Carabobo, Miranda, La Guaira, and Trujillo were among the areas most severely affected, with reports of damaged homes, disrupted services, and stranded residents. Schools were closed, while some public facilities were converted into temporary shelters for displaced families.
Airport Closed, Transport Disrupted
The disaster also caused serious damage to infrastructure. Authorities closed Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, which serves Caracas, after inspections revealed significant structural damage. Metro and rail services were suspended as engineers assessed safety risks.
Cabello said gas supplies were shut off in some buildings as a precaution against fires and explosions.
Emergency services have urged residents to avoid entering damaged structures and remain alert for further seismic activity.
Tremors Felt Beyond Venezuela
The earthquakes were felt across neighbouring countries, including Colombia, where residents in Bogotá reported strong tremors. Colombian authorities received hundreds of reports from across the country but ruled out the risk of a tsunami. The US National Tsunami Warning Center also later confirmed that no tsunami threat existed.
The USGS warned that the scale and depth of the earthquakes could result in extensive casualties and economic losses, although the full extent of the damage remains unclear as rescue efforts continue.
The twin earthquakes rank among the strongest to hit Venezuela in decades and have renewed concerns over disaster preparedness in a country that has experienced several deadly seismic events in its history.