A massive humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Venezuela after two major earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck just seconds apart west of the capital Caracas on Wednesday evening.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez has declared a national state of emergency. With multiple multi-story buildings collapsed and widespread power outages, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) warns there is a 44% chance the death toll could exceed 10,000.
The tremors struck at 18:04 local time during a national holiday, catching many families at home. The quakes were felt as far away as Bogotá, Colombia and have been followed by more than 20 aftershocks. Venezuela’s primary international gateway, Maiquetía Airport has been shut down due to severe structural damage.
Rescue operations are moving frantically across the hardest-hit northern coastal regions, including La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo and Falcón. In the Caracas municipality of Chacao, Mayor Gustavo Duque Saez confirmed that at least two buildings completely collapsed. Emergency workers have pulled 18 survivors from the rubble so far, while over 500 responders continue to search for trapped residents.
Displaced locals are being directed to emergency centers set up at Plaza Altamira and Plaza Los Palos Grandes for water, shelter and information on missing relatives.
In a televised address, Acting President Rodríguez who assumed leadership after Nicolás Maduro was detained by U.S. forces in January appealed for national unity. Flanked by senior officials, she appointed a general to coordinate the disaster response and offered condolences as the nation braces for the full scale of the tragedy.
