Rescue Teams Race Against Time After Twin Earthquakes Devastate Venezuela

Two back-to-back earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday, killing hundreds and leaving thousands missing as rescue crews continued searching for people trapped under the rubble. In the hardest-hit area, La Guaira, residents described entire buildings collapsing and neighborhoods being wiped out. One distraught resident, Diana Delgado, cried, "I just want to know where my son is."

Pedro Perez, 64, who runs an upholstery workshop, told Reuters he lost both his home and his store and is now sleeping on the street with his wife and children. "We lost everything. We have no food and no medicine. We hope help arrives soon," he said. Local residents said around 100 buildings may have collapsed in La Guaira alone, while rescuers reported hearing voices from beneath the debris. Many families are waiting for news of missing relatives, and volunteers have been digging through the ruins by hand.

The disaster has also disrupted basic services. People were seen evacuating along the Caracas-La Guaira highway carrying water, food, and medicine, while electricity remained unstable. Caracas's international airport was shut after being badly damaged, and video from the terminal showed panic among passengers and a fallen electronic departures board shattered on the floor.

The US Geological Survey said there is a strong chance the death toll could ultimately reach between 10,000 and 100,000. Venezuela's interim president, Rodriguez, declared a state of emergency because of the severe damage and said foreign rescue teams were on their way. She said the first quake measured 7.1 and was followed about 40 seconds later by a stronger 7.5 tremor. She also said the Maiketia airport had been closed for now and expressed condolences to the families of those killed.