By Agency Reports
Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck within seconds of each other, killing at least 164 people and injuring nearly 1,000, while authorities and international agencies fear the death toll could rise dramatically as rescue efforts continue.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 160 kilometres west of Caracas on Wednesday evening, followed less than a minute later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 tremor. The twin quakes caused widespread destruction across several regions, with La Guaira and parts of Caracas among the hardest-hit areas.
Venezuela’s interim President, Delcy Rodríguez, confirmed the official death toll at 164 and said hundreds of people remain trapped beneath collapsed buildings. Emergency workers have been combing through rubble in a desperate search for survivors, while distraught families wait anxiously for news of missing relatives.
The USGS warned that the final death toll could run into the thousands, with predictive models indicating a significant possibility that fatalities may exceed 10,000. A missing persons database established by opposition leaders reportedly listed nearly 26,000 people as unaccounted for on Thursday morning.
The disaster has prompted a massive emergency response. Rodríguez announced the creation of a $200 million reconstruction fund, backed by resources from the International Monetary Fund, to rebuild damaged infrastructure, hospitals and homes.
The United States has offered assistance, with President Donald Trump describing the situation as potentially involving a “devastating number of deaths.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said American search-and-rescue teams were already being deployed and that Washington would provide satellite imagery, logistical support and additional resources to aid recovery efforts.
The United Nations is also mobilising international rescue teams. U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that the disaster could worsen existing humanitarian challenges in Venezuela, where millions already require assistance.
Despite the widespread devastation, preliminary assessments indicate that much of Venezuela’s oil and gas infrastructure, including the El Palito refinery, escaped major damage. However, inspections remain ongoing, and some industrial facilities temporarily suspended operations as a precaution.
The Caracas Stock Exchange suspended trading and announced plans to convert its headquarters into a collection centre for relief supplies.
Experts said the severity of the destruction was amplified by the shallow depth of the earthquakes, which generated intense ground shaking across densely populated areas. The disaster has also renewed concerns about Venezuela’s ageing infrastructure, much of which has suffered from years of underinvestment.
Rescue operations remain underway as authorities race against time to locate survivors buried beneath collapsed buildings and debris.