Death Toll Rises to 32 After Twin Quakes Rock Venezuela; Hundreds Injured
At least 32 people were killed and more than 700 injured when two strong earthquakes struck northwestern Venezuela within a minute of each other Wednesday evening, Acting President Delcy Rodríguez said early Thursday. She cautioned that the death toll is expected to rise as rescuers continue to search collapsed buildings and emergency crews reach the hardest-hit communities.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported magnitudes of 7.2 and 7.5 for the quakes, which were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in over a century. The first temblor, centered 17.6 miles northwest of the town of Montalbán at a depth of 8.2 miles, was initially recorded as a 7.1 before being upgraded. Just 39 seconds later, a second 7.5-magnitude quake struck about 21 miles northwest of Montalbán, creating a rare “doublet” event, according to the USGS.
The coastal state of La Guaira appeared to be the worst affected. “Dozens of buildings have collapsed and we are engaged in the arduous task of rescuing the lives that God allows us to save. The state of La Guaira is facing a true tragedy and has become a disaster zone,” Rodríguez said in a televised address. She declared a state of emergency and ordered the closure of the country’s main airport, Simón Bolívar International Airport, after it sustained severe damage. Classes nationwide were suspended for several days.
In the capital, Caracas, entire walls crumbled, leaving furniture visible from the street. Dust clouds rose from neighborhoods like Altamira, where a 22-story building was completely destroyed, according to an Agence France-Presse journalist. People remained outdoors for hours after sunset, some hugging pets as debris blocked roads. Parts of the capital lost power and cellphone service, compounding the anguish of families, particularly those among the more than 7.7 million Venezuelans who have fled the country during its prolonged crisis and were unable to reach loved ones.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to stay outside, warning that aftershocks could further weaken already damaged structures. “We understand that some people may be desperate, but we are acting according to protocols to activate aid and rescue efforts,” he said on state television. “Be very careful with children and the elderly; call each other and check that no one has been harmed.”
The White House quickly responded. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, “The two major earthquakes that just hit the great people of Venezuela are both massive in scale and have left a devastating number of deaths. The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!” Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed early Thursday that, at Trump’s direction, search teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid were being deployed. Jeremy P. Lewin, the U.S. undersecretary of state for foreign assistance, said a disaster assistance team and task force had been mobilized to coordinate with Venezuela’s interim government.
Offers of aid poured in from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay. Colombia reported no injuries or damage despite feeling the quakes in its Caribbean and northeast regions.
Strong earthquakes are unusual in Venezuela. While the country sits near multiple fault lines, its position on the boundary between the South American and Caribbean plates makes seismic activity far less frequent than in other parts of Latin America — such as along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where Mexico and Chile experience regular tremors. This geological rarity added to the shock for many residents.
“It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together,” said Caracas resident Hector Ricci. Another resident, Roberto Damas, described the force: “The building really shook from side to side. Unreal. The force was incredibly strong … we were walking and it was tossing us around. Everything in the apartment fell. Well, thank God we were able to get out.”
In the coastal state of Falcon, Governor Víctor Clark reported 32 people hospitalized and 15 still trapped more than four hours after the quake. The Ministry of Education said some schools would be converted into shelters and donation centers. Rodríguez appealed for all healthcare professionals to report to hospitals. “We urge our population to remain calm,” she said. “We urge unity.”
Exiled opposition leader María Corina Machado wrote on X, “My heart, my infinite embrace, and my prayers are with every Venezuelan home in these hours of anguish. May strength, serenity, and solidarity prevail among us in the face of this difficult moment.”