Powerful earthquakes kill 32, injure hundreds in Venezuela

At least 32 people were killed and around 700 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread damage in and around the capital, Caracas, authorities said.

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck approximately 160 kilometres west of Caracas and was followed less than a minute later by a magnitude 7.5 tremor. The agency's predictive modelling suggested the eventual death toll could rise significantly.

Interim President Delcy Rodriguez said the confirmed casualty figures did not yet include victims from La Guaira state, which hosts Caracas' main airport and was among the hardest-hit areas.

Speaking on state television, Rodriguez described the disaster as a “true tragedy” and said rescue teams were continuing intensive operations to locate survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings. She added that international rescue crews were expected to arrive in the coming hours.

The earthquakes caused dozens of structures to collapse in Caracas and surrounding areas. Local officials reported multiple fatalities after residential and commercial buildings were destroyed. Emergency workers continued search-and-rescue efforts throughout the night as relatives gathered at affected sites seeking information about missing loved ones.