Venezuela Hit by Two Powerful Earthquakes Seconds Apart; State of Emergency Declared

Venezuela is grappling with the aftermath of two significant earthquakes that struck in quick succession, causing widespread destruction in the capital, Caracas, and raising fears of a high number of casualties. The first tremor, with a magnitude of 7.2, hit near San Felipe, followed almost immediately by a 7.5 magnitude quake in the Yumare area, both west of Caracas.

“

We have buildings, homes, and houses that have collapsed, and we are intervening with all available resources in terms of security and civil assistance.

In response, interim President Delcy Rodriguez declared a state of emergency late Wednesday as the nation's emergency services were mobilized for search and rescue operations. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello reported collapsed buildings and homes, stating that all available resources were being deployed. He specifically highlighted an "alarming situation" in the Altamira neighborhood of Caracas, where multiple buildings reportedly crumbled.

“

It was unimaginable, I don't even know how long it lasted.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) issued a grim estimate, suggesting that the number of victims could range from 10,000 to 100,000 people. Many Venezuelans were at home when the quakes struck, as Wednesday was a national holiday commemorating a decisive battle in Venezuela's war of independence from Spain.

“

It kept getting stronger and stronger. I started seeing the windows move, and then everything started to shake.

Witnesses described the terrifying experience of enduring two earthquakes within a minute of each other. Heidi Romero, who was on the top floor of a shopping center, called it "unimaginable." Carmen Guedez recounted how the shaking intensified, causing windows to move and walls to crack. Odalis Escalona, a bank employee, described stairs detaching and a wall splitting.

“

The stairs detached, and the entire wall cracked.