Back-To-Back Earthquakes Kill At Least 235 In Venezuela, Delcy Rodriguez Declares Emergency

Back-to-back earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 235 people and leaving about 40,000 people missing as rescuers searched among huge mounds of rubble.

“Major earthquake rattles Venezuela, with reports of another off Japan A 7”

ABC News

The Associated Press reported that Venezuela’s health minister said around 4,300 were hurt, after two earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 hit within 39 seconds of each other west of Caracas on Wednesday afternoon.

ABC News

Interim president Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency after the earthquakes caused building collapses in Caracas and forced the closure of the country’s main international airport.

A US Geological Survey estimate put a 44 per cent probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000 as families sought help for loved ones feared trapped.

Venezuelans described the scene as “like a horror movie,” as emergency workers scrambled through damage and dazed survivors were rushed away on stretchers.

Delcy Rodríguez said the United Nations would “mobilize the capabilities of its system and its agencies” to help Venezuelans after the back-to-back earthquakes.

Rodríguez wrote on X that she had spoken with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, who expressed “deepest solidarity with the Venezuelan people and his condolences for the tragedy that is mourning Venezuela”.

CBN

US President Trump offered help to his “great friends” in Venezuela after the earthquakes left dozens of people dead, writing on Truth Social that “The U.S.A. stands ready, willing, and able to help!”

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced that Brazil deployed “nine tons of equipment to assist in the search and rescue of victims” affected by the two earthquakes.

A survivor, Billy Ebrin of Caracas, told Al Jazeera, “I thought I was going to die. You could hear pieces of concrete breaking off the walls”.

Earthquake scientist Judith Hubbard of Cornell University said back-to-back earthquakes can occur, but told NPR that “I think we're going to need to see more science come out.”

“The Asian country, with more resources, prepares for a major earthquake with alert systems, strict building codes, and a deeply ingrained culture of preparedness”

El País

Hubbard said a magnitude 7.2 earthquake would take about 30 or 40 seconds to finish, adding that for people in the area “they would have felt this as one very large earthquake.”

On aftershocks, Hubbard said “Typically, we would see, you know, at least one aftershock of about magnitude 6.5,” while noting there is a chance of larger aftershocks.

The USGS initially said the first earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1, later revising that to 7.2, and the second quake measured 7.5, with the second striking about a minute later, according to The National Desk.

The National Desk quoted acting President Delcy Rodríguez urging calm, saying “We urge our population to remain calm,” while also reporting that she asked health care professionals to report to hospitals to assist anyone injured.