Caracas, Sketsa.id – A devastating double earthquake has struck northern Venezuela, leaving at least 32 people dead and more than 700 injured. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency as rescue teams scramble to find survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings across the hardest-hit areas.
The coastal state of La Guaira, located just north of the capital Caracas, has suffered the worst destruction. “We can say that La Guaira state is a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone,” Rodriguez said in a televised address, describing scenes of dozens of buildings reduced to rubble.
Double Quake, Double Tragedy
Two powerful earthquakes struck within just 39 seconds of each other on Wednesday evening. The first registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed by an even stronger 7.5 tremor, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) . The epicenters were located near the coastal city of Morón, approximately 160 kilometers west of Caracas .
The USGS initially warned that “high casualties and extensive damage are probable,” estimating the death toll could range from 10,000 to 100,000 . Authorities have not yet released complete figures for La Guaira due to connectivity issues in the area, and the death toll is feared to rise as search operations continue.
Rescue Efforts Underway, International Aid Mobilized
“My deepest condolences to the families of the victims,” Rodriguez said in her address, while urging the public to remain calm. The country’s main international airport, Maiquetía, has been closed due to severe structural damage . Public transportation, including metro and train services, has been suspended, and schools have been ordered closed for the remainder of the week .
Search and rescue teams are working around the clock in La Guaira, where the situation is described as dire. “We are in very arduous rescue work to save lives,” Rodriguez stated . Emergency crews from the United States, El Salvador, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Qatar are expected to arrive in the coming hours . President Donald Trump confirmed that the U.S. stands “ready, willing, and able to help,” having instructed all government agencies to prepare for rapid deployment.
While the full scale of the damage is still being assessed, the Venezuelan government has activated its military general staff to coordinate the emergency response . For many Venezuelans, the quakes brought back memories of the devastating 1967 earthquake that also struck Caracas. (*)
