Venezuela earthquake: Hundreds trapped as twin tremors devastate Caracas region

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of two powerful earthquakes that struck the country, killing nearly 190 people and leaving thousands homeless. The twin tremors, a magnitude 7.2 followed by a 7.5, devastated areas in and around the capital, Caracas, causing widespread destruction and trapping hundreds under rubble.

The disaster struck a nation already weakened by years of severe economic turmoil. This pre-existing fragility has left much of Venezuela's infrastructure in a precarious state, significantly complicating rescue efforts. The strong aftershocks that continued to rattle the capital and surrounding coastal areas further exacerbated the challenging situation for emergency responders.

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It has become a disaster zone.

According to Jorge Rodriguez, head of Venezuela's national assembly, as of yesterday afternoon, 188 people were confirmed dead, 200 were trapped, and 1,520 had been hospitalized. Approximately 250 buildings were damaged or destroyed. Among the heavily impacted structures were at least eight hospitals, the headquarters of the Venezuelan Red Cross, and the French embassy.

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He's under the slabs and there's no machinery to get him out.

La Guaira, a coastal state adjacent to Caracas and home to the capital's main airport, was among the hardest-hit regions. Acting President Delcy Rodriguez declared it a "disaster zone" and stated the government was collaborating with private companies to bring in heavy equipment to expedite rescue operations. The Caracas airport also sustained damage, leading to its closure, with witness videos showing scenes of panic inside the terminal as ceiling panels collapsed.

In affected areas, emergency workers and volunteers worked through the night, searching through collapsed buildings. However, some residents reported a slow arrival of official assistance. Yamileth Jimenez, a resident of La Guaira city, described her son being trapped in their collapsed seven-story apartment building, lamenting the lack of machinery to rescue him. Along the Caracas-La Guaira highway, civilians were seen heading towards the coast with essential supplies, stepping in to help as the scale of the disaster overwhelmed initial efforts. Pedro Perez, an upholstery workshop owner, shared his despair after losing both his home and business, highlighting the immediate need for aid.

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We lost everything. We have no food or medicines ... We hope help arrives quickly.