Venezuela Faces Devastation After Powerful Earthquakes: Rescue Efforts Underway

Rescue Operations Intensify Following Earthquakes

On Thursday, rescue teams hurried to assist areas severely impacted by two significant earthquakes in Venezuela, which resulted in at least 164 fatalities and nearly 1,000 injuries, with many individuals trapped under debris. The earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck on Wednesday evening and were among the most powerful to hit the nation in over a century, felt across a wide region. The main airport in the country sustained damage and was closed, while buildings were evacuated as far away as Brazil’s Amazon, approximately 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Caracas, the capital.

Television footage displayed rescue workers utilizing power tools to navigate through the rubble of collapsed structures. In the aftermath, terrified residents flooded the streets, searching for missing loved ones amid the wreckage and fallen power lines. Acting President Delcy Rodríguez reported the latest death toll early Thursday and indicated that rescue teams were being redirected from other regions to La Guaira, a coastal area north of Caracas. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, aiming to maximize daylight for rescue operations.

State TV captured moments of hope as three children, covered in dust yet alive, were rescued from the debris in La Guaira, which Rodríguez labeled a “disaster zone” due to the extensive destruction. “Numerous buildings have collapsed there, and we are currently engaged in intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she stated.

Online videos depicted numerous individuals receiving treatment outside a hospital in La Guaira. Despite Venezuela's location near several fault lines, significant earthquakes are relatively rare due to its position between the South American and Caribbean tectonic plates. Rodríguez urged businesses to provide heavy machinery for rescue efforts and noted that United Nations-certified search and rescue teams were en route to assist.

Residents of Caracas in Shock

Caracas Residents Reeling from Two Strong Quakes

During the earthquakes, residents in Caracas fled from swaying buildings, visibly shaken as they witnessed the destruction of walls that exposed furniture from the street. Hector Ricci, a local resident, described the experience: “It started off gently and then gradually grew, and in the end, we all had to leave our houses, go outside and gather together.” The U.S. Geological Survey reported that the first quake, measuring 7.2, struck west of Moron on the Caribbean coast, about 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Caracas, at a depth of 22 kilometers (approximately 14 miles). Just a minute later, a second quake of 7.5 magnitude occurred, with a depth of 10 kilometers (about 6 miles) and an epicenter 16 kilometers (10 miles) southwest of Moron.

Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello advised residents to remain outdoors due to potential aftershocks that could further compromise structures. Many stayed outside for hours, some sitting on the ground with their pets as dust settled around them. In downtown Caracas, hundreds spent the night in parks and open spaces. Authorities cautioned against returning to homes that had sustained damage. María Cristina Díaz, a 41-year-old janitor, expressed her fears: “We were afraid the buildings would collapse on us. My mother, my daughter, and I were cold. We didn’t sleep a wink; but I didn’t want to spend the night alone at home after that terrible earthquake.”

“It was awful. We cried, we screamed. Thankfully, we’re alive,” she added. Díaz and her family sought refuge in Plaza Candelaria, one of the few open areas near their home. Parts of Caracas experienced power outages and disrupted cellphone service, while Simón Bolívar International Airport, the main airport, was damaged and closed. Subway services were halted, and natural gas supplies were cut off. Classes were canceled for several days, with some school buildings designated as shelters and donation centers.

On Thursday morning, many in Venezuela and abroad struggled to reach family members. Families began distributing missing-person flyers featuring photos of their loved ones, while others shared handwritten lists of names of those still unaccounted for. The U.N. human rights mission in Venezuela urged the government to lift local restrictions on social media, emphasizing the need for reliable information and communication channels for the safety and well-being of the population.

International Support and Emergency Measures

Several Governments Offered Assistance

In a national address late Wednesday, Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced the establishment of a $200 million reconstruction fund for hospitals and homes affected by the earthquakes. She tasked the ministers of economy and finance with overseeing this initiative.

Offers of assistance poured in from around the globe. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States is “immediately deploying search and rescue teams, medical resources, and humanitarian assistance to Venezuela.” He assured that the response would be comprehensive, swift, and effective. Rubio noted that one of the runways at Caracas’ international airport was damaged, complicating landing operations.

Rodríguez, who assumed the role of acting president following an American military operation that captured her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro, expressed gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump. She mentioned a phone conversation with Rubio but did not disclose details. Additionally, she thanked various world leaders for their support and offers of assistance. Ecuador has committed to sending humanitarian aid, while Rodríguez confirmed that Qatar, Mexico, and El Salvador had already dispatched rescue teams. “We send you all our solidarity and our prayers. Stay strong, Venezuela,” wrote El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who previously opposed the Venezuelan government.