Up to 100,000 people are feared dead after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela west of Caracas, toppling buildings, trapping residents under rubble and prompting a nationwide state of emergency.
The U.S. Geological Survey said “high casualties and extensive damage” were probable and initially estimated the death toll would most likely fall between 10,000 and 100,000. The warning came after a magnitude 7.2 quake hit about 160 km west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor.
Authorities have not yet issued a national death toll, but officials in the capital reported early fatalities and collapsed buildings as rescue teams worked through the night. Three people were killed in Caracas’ Baruta district after two buildings collapsed, while Chacao’s mayor said one person was killed, four buildings had completely collapsed and 22 people were taken to hospital.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said homes and buildings had collapsed across affected areas and that emergency services were responding with all available security and civil protection resources.
Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said she would declare a state of emergency and seek funds from multilateral organizations to support the recovery effort. In a national address, she offered condolences to families of the dead but did not give a national casualty figure.
Video footage showed emergency workers climbing through the ruins of a collapsed building in Caracas after nightfall, as relatives searched for loved ones believed to be trapped beneath the debris. In Falcon state, Governor Victor Clark said 22 people were injured and 15 adults were still missing.
Residents described scenes of panic as the quakes struck during a public holiday, sending people rushing into the streets as buildings shook. One Caracas resident told Reuters the scene after escaping was “like a horror movie,” while another said the shaking was worse than the deadly 1967 earthquake that struck the capital.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was ready to assist Venezuela, while regional leaders offered support as emergency crews assessed the scale of destruction.
