Venezuela earthquakes 2026

Two powerful back-to-back earthquakes rocked Venezuela on Wednesday, causing widespread destruction in and around Caracas. The death toll has climbed to at least 164, with fears of thousands more casualties as rescue efforts continue. Scale of Destruction and Casualties A magnitude 7.2 quake struck first, followed 39 seconds later by a 7.5 tremor west of the capital. Dozens of buildings collapsed into rubble, trapping residents. La Guaira state near Caracas was among the hardest hit. Interim President Delcy Rodríguez confirmed 164 deaths and over 970 injuries. The USGS warned of potentially thousands dead, with a significant chance the toll could exceed 10,000. Opposition sources reported over 10,000 missing. Rescue Efforts and International Response Emergency teams are searching rubble in Caracas and surrounding areas. Survivors described scenes of chaos, with people fleeing buildings and ceilings collapsing at Maiquetia Airport, which was later closed.U.S. President Donald Trump offered American assistance. Leaders from several countries, including Brazil and Spain, expressed support. Hospitals braced for more injured, schools were canceled, and the stock exchange closed to aid rescue operations. Venezuela sits in a seismically active zone. The quakes are the strongest in over a century, compounding the country’s existing challenges. Oil infrastructure appeared largely unaffected initially.