Caracas, Venezuela. Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people and injuring 700 more as buildings collapsed in and around the capital, interim President Delcy Rodriguez said. Rescue operations were continuing, with authorities warning that the toll could rise.
Quakes strike near Caracas
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 160 km west of Caracas, followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The USGS said, based on predictive modeling, that the death toll would most likely reach the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000.
Authorities report casualties and damage
Rodriguez said the initial figures did not include casualties from La Guaira state, near Caracas and home to the city’s airport, which she said was the worst affected.
“Dozens of buildings have collapsed, and we are currently carrying out very intense rescue efforts to save as many lives as God allows us to save,” she said in an appearance on state television shortly before 1 a.m. local time on Thursday.
She described the event as “a true tragedy” and expressed solidarity with families who had lost loved ones.
Rescue efforts underway
Rodriguez said the country was focused on rescue operations, including the expected arrival in the coming hours of rescue crews from other countries. She thanked several leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump.
Trump said in a post on social media that the United States was ready to help after the disaster.
Local officials detail impact in Caracas
Three people were killed in the Baruta district of Caracas after two buildings collapsed, the district mayor said on social media.
In the Chacao district, one person was killed and four buildings had completely collapsed, Mayor Gustavo Duque told journalists.
Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello said on state television that buildings, homes and houses had collapsed and that authorities were responding with all available security and civil assistance resources.
