Twin Earthquakes Kill 164 in Venezuela, Trigger Massive Rescue Effort

Caracus- Venezuela is reeling after two powerful earthquakes struck the country within minutes of each other on Wednesday evening, killing at least 164 people and injuring 971, according to authorities.

The back-to-back quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, were among the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a nationwide state of emergency and warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue searching through collapsed buildings.

The hardest-hit area was La Guaira, located about 30 kilometers north of Caracas, where dozens of structures collapsed. Rescue operations remain underway, with emergency workers pulling survivors from the rubble overnight.

The earthquakes caused widespread disruption across the country. Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas was temporarily closed after sustaining damage, while metro services and natural gas supplies in the capital were suspended. Schools were ordered shut for several days, with some facilities being converted into emergency shelters and aid distribution centers.

The tremors were felt across much of northern South America, including parts of Brazil and Colombia. Several buildings were evacuated in Brazil’s Amazon region, though no major damage was reported outside Venezuela.

International assistance has begun arriving. The United States announced the deployment of search-and-rescue teams, medical resources and humanitarian aid. Other countries, including Mexico, El Salvador, Qatar, Brazil, Argentina and China, also offered support.

Television footage showed rescue workers using heavy equipment and specialized tools to search collapsed structures. Many residents spent the night outdoors amid fears of aftershocks, while power outages and communication disruptions complicated emergency efforts.

Officials have urged citizens to remain cautious as aftershocks remain possible. Rescue operations are continuing in affected regions, particularly in La Guaira and the coastal state of Falcón, where authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.