Key facts
- Two earthquakes, magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5, struck northern Venezuela.
- The earthquakes killed over 230 people and injured at least 4,300.
- Thousands are reported missing, with rescue efforts ongoing.
- La Guaira, a coastal region, experienced severe damage and casualties.
- Venezuela's main airport in La Guaira was closed due to damage.
- Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and a $200 million reconstruction fund.
Neighbors in northern Venezuela are digging through rubble to find loved ones following two powerful earthquakes that struck Wednesday evening. Officials reported that the back-to-back seismic events, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, killed over 230 people and injured at least 4,300, with casualty numbers expected to rise as thousands remain missing.
The coastal region of La Guaira suffered the most severe damage and casualties. The country's main airport, located there, was closed due to damage, hindering aid efforts. Many buildings were reduced to rubble, and streets were cracked open. Residents described a desperate search for missing family members, with phone service interrupted and many spending the night in open spaces.
Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency and announced a $200 million reconstruction fund. She appealed to businesses for heavy construction equipment to aid rescue operations. The earthquakes, centered near Moron, were among the strongest in Venezuela in over a century, amplified by shallow seismic movements.
International aid has been pledged by Mexico, Qatar, Brazil, Spain, Portugal, and Canada, with some shipments already en route. The United States is also deploying assistance, though the airport closure poses logistical challenges. Rescue teams from Mexico, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic arrived on Thursday.