Arabic version: فنزويلا تعلن حالة الطوارئ بعد الزلازل القاتلة في كاراكاس

Two powerful earthquakes shook the Venezuelan capital of Caracas seconds apart, killing at least 32 people and injuring around 700, according to BBC News. The first quake registered a magnitude of 7.2, followed by a stronger 7.5 tremor just thirty-nine seconds later, marking one of the strongest tremors to hit the country in a century.

The earthquakes occurred at approximately 18:04 local time, with the epicenters located outside the capital. The tremors were felt as far away as Bogotá, Colombia, over 1,000 kilometers from the affected area. In the aftermath, more than 20 aftershocks have been reported, impacting various regions along Venezuela’s northern coastline.

In response to the disaster, interim President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency, pausing airport, rail, and transport services. Rescue operations are underway, with emergency crews working to locate survivors trapped under collapsed buildings. Rodríguez expressed her “immediate condolences” to the victims and emphasized the need for immediate recovery efforts.

The extent of the damage is still being assessed, but images show debris scattered across streets and significant structural collapses in several areas. Reports indicate that at least two buildings in the Chacao municipality have completely collapsed, with emergency workers actively searching for individuals who may still be trapped.

As the situation unfolds, Venezuela’s government has urged residents to evacuate their homes due to concerns over building stability. Fuel supplies to the city have been cut, and internet outages have been reported. Classes across the country will remain suspended for the remainder of the week as recovery efforts continue.