Deadly Twin Quakes Trigger Venezuela National Emergency

Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela within less than a minute of each other on Wednesday evening, raising fears of a catastrophic loss of life and prompting authorities to declare a nationwide state of emergency.

According to reports, the first earthquake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, was centred near San Felipe in Yaracuy State. Just 39 seconds later, a second and even stronger tremor measuring 7.5 struck the country. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) warned that the closely timed seismic events could result in extensive casualties and widespread destruction across affected regions.

Preliminary assessments released by the USGS suggested a significant risk of severe human losses. The agency estimated a 44 per cent probability that fatalities could exceed 10,000 and a 30 per cent probability that the death toll could surpass 100,000. Such projections are based on earthquake intensity, population density, building vulnerability and other seismic impact models, although officials stressed that confirmed casualty figures were not yet available.

The tremors were felt far beyond the epicentral region, including in the capital, Caracas. Reports from the city indicated that several buildings had collapsed, fuel supplies had been disrupted and emergency services were responding to desperate calls from people believed to be trapped beneath rubble. Residents in affected areas were urged to evacuate damaged structures and move to safer locations as aftershocks remained a concern.

Venezuela’s Interior Minister appealed to the public to leave unsafe homes and follow instructions issued by emergency authorities. Search-and-rescue teams, military units and civil protection personnel were mobilised to assist communities impacted by the disaster.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez addressed the nation shortly after the earthquakes and formally declared a state of emergency. She appointed a senior military general to oversee the national response effort and coordinate rescue, relief and recovery operations across the country.

In her televised address, Rodríguez called for national unity during what she described as an unprecedented crisis. She also expressed condolences to families who may have lost loved ones in the disaster, though she did not provide an official death toll.

Rodríguez has been leading the country on an interim basis since former president Nicolás Maduro was reportedly taken to New York earlier this year to face drug-trafficking-related charges following his detention by United States authorities. The latest disaster now presents one of the most serious challenges to the country’s emergency management capabilities.

As rescue operations continue, authorities are racing against time to reach affected communities, assess the scale of the devastation and provide urgent humanitarian assistance to survivors.