Caracas: Venezuela’s Health Ministry has confirmed that the death toll from the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the country has risen to at least 235, as emergency teams continue desperate rescue operations to save hundreds believed to be trapped beneath collapsed buildings.
The powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 in magnitude, struck just 40 seconds apart on Wednesday. According to officials, the shallow quakes occurred at a depth of only 10 kilometres, making them the strongest to hit Venezuela in more than a century and the country’s deadliest seismic disaster in decades.
The earthquakes caused widespread devastation across Venezuela’s northern and central coastal regions, including the capital Caracas, where numerous residential and commercial buildings collapsed. Power outages, communication failures and repeated aftershocks have further complicated rescue operations.
Hundreds Still Feared Trapped
National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez said during a press conference on Thursday that around 200 people remain trapped beneath the rubble.
“We are racing against time in the hope of rescuing as many people as possible,” Rodriguez said, adding that rescue workers continue to search damaged buildings despite the danger posed by ongoing aftershocks.
Emergency responders have warned that the death toll is likely to increase as access to the worst-hit areas remains difficult and search operations continue.
Strongest Earthquakes in Over a Century
Seismologists said the earthquakes released enormous energy near the Earth’s surface because of their shallow depth. The epicentres were located close to Caracas, significantly increasing the scale of destruction in one of Venezuela’s most densely populated regions.
Experts also noted that Venezuela has not experienced a major earthquake in nearly five decades, leaving many communities inadequately prepared for such a disaster. Aging infrastructure and years of underinvestment have further increased the vulnerability of buildings to powerful seismic activity.
Government Announces Emergency Measures
In response to the disaster, National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez announced a series of emergency measures aimed at accelerating rescue and recovery efforts.
The government has ordered the mobilisation of heavy debris-removal equipment from private companies, established a 200-million-US-dollar emergency assistance fund, and introduced special credit facilities for businesses affected by the disaster.
Authorities said these measures are intended to support both immediate rescue operations and the long-term reconstruction of devastated communities.
International Aid Begins to Arrive
Foreign Minister Yvan Gil confirmed that Venezuela is coordinating international humanitarian assistance, with at least a dozen countries offering rescue teams, medical supplies and emergency support.
As rescue efforts continue around the clock, officials have urged residents to remain alert due to the risk of further aftershocks, while emergency shelters have been established for thousands displaced by the disaster.
The twin earthquakes are among the most destructive natural disasters in Venezuela’s modern history, leaving widespread destruction and prompting a massive national and international humanitarian response.
