Venezuela is reeling from one of its worst disasters in recent memory after two major earthquakes struck the country and left at least 164 dead and 971 injured, according to interim President Delcy Rodriguez. She said on Thursday that more than 30 aftershocks had followed the main quakes, and warned that the full scale of the catastrophe may become clearer in the coming hours.
The US Geological Survey said the first quake measured 7.2 and hit about 160 kilometers west of Caracas. Less than a minute later, a second, stronger quake of magnitude 7.5 was felt. Using forecasting models, US officials estimated that the death toll could rise into the thousands, with a high probability that the final number of victims could exceed 10,000.
Video from the country showed terrified residents fleeing into the streets as buildings collapsed behind them, with dust clouds covering entire neighborhoods. The footage showed people running for safety while screaming could be heard in the background, as the extent of the destruction continued to unfold.
Authorities reported severe damage, including collapsed buildings and hotels, and entire areas were affected. Engineers, civil defense teams, and hundreds of rescuers were working through the rubble to find survivors. Rodriguez said the government’s top priority was rescuing trapped people and saving lives, adding that Venezuela was receiving assistance from governments and international organizations.
US President Donald Trump said on social media that Washington would provide immediate humanitarian aid to Venezuela and instructed federal agencies to prepare search and rescue teams, medical supplies, and emergency assistance for the affected areas.
