Massive Quakes Rock Venezuela, Raising Fears of Heavy Losses

Venezuela was hit overnight, between Wednesday and Thursday, by two powerful earthquakes that turned a national holiday into a scene of widespread destruction. The first, measured at 7.2, struck near San Felipe, the capital of Yaracuy state, at 18:04 Eastern time. About 40 seconds later, a stronger quake, measured at 7.5, hit about 23 kilometers southeast of Yumaré. The shaking was felt across the country, including Caracas and the states of Miranda, La Guaira, Aragua, Carabobo and Falcón.

The quakes caused buildings to collapse, major utilities to fail, and Simón Bolívar International Airport to shut down completely. In Caracas, resident Manuel Guevara Barro told CNN he could not even walk during the tremor and described it as terrifying. He said at least two buildings collapsed entirely in Los Palos Grandes, with many others badly damaged. Rail service was halted, all nonessential activity was suspended, and schools were closed for the rest of the week.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a national emergency in a televised address and announced a search and rescue task force. She said the government was mobilizing public and private health systems to treat the injured. Official preliminary figures put the number of wounded at at least 48, but that is expected to rise as rescue teams pull people from the rubble in Caracas and other affected areas.

The U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 41% chance of a major disaster in which deaths could reach 10,000 to 100,000, especially because the quake hit on a holiday when many people were at home. A tsunami warning was briefly issued for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, then lifted. Seismologist Lucy Jones of Caltech warned that ruptured gas and power lines could spark large fires, while broken water pipes could leave firefighters unable to respond. Opposition politician Edmundo González, speaking from exile, accused the government of systematic censorship, and NetBlocks reported a sharp drop in internet connectivity amid existing blocking of hundreds of websites. Venezuela remains under severe uncertainty as rescue efforts continue and the death toll may climb sharply.