Key facts
- Two earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck near Caracas, Venezuela.
- Buildings collapsed in the capital, and a state of emergency was declared.
- Rescuers are searching for survivors trapped in rubble.
- At least two buildings in Chacao municipality collapsed.
- Initial tsunami advisories for the region have been cancelled.
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela's capital, Caracas, on a national holiday, causing significant damage and prompting a state of emergency. The first tremor, a magnitude 7.2, hit near Montalbán just west of Caracas, followed 39 seconds later by a stronger magnitude 7.5 quake at a depth of approximately 10 km. Tremors were felt as far as Bogotá, Colombia.
Buildings collapsed in Caracas, with residents rushing into the streets for safety. Photos and videos show debris and rescuers digging through rubble. The mayor of Chacao municipality reported at least two buildings had completely collapsed, with 18 people rescued alive and over 500 emergency workers on site.
President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, allowing for additional resources and personnel for recovery efforts. She offered condolences for those killed, though no official death toll has been released. The country's interior ministry urged people to leave their homes due to concerns about building stability and potential gas line issues. Fuel supplies and internet services have been disrupted.
The US Geological Survey noted the area's vulnerability, with many buildings constructed from reinforced brick masonry and adobe, suggesting a high likelihood of destruction and casualties. The USGS estimated a 44% chance of the death toll reaching 10,000 and a 30% chance of exceeding 100,000.
Initial tsunami threat advisories were issued for the Venezuelan coast and parts of the Caribbean but have since been cancelled.