CARACAS (VINnews)- Powerful back-to-back earthquakes struck northern Venezuela on Wednesday evening, collapsing buildings across coastal and central regions, killing at least 164 people and injuring nearly 1,000 others as of Thursday, with officials warning the toll will likely rise significantly.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported a magnitude 7.2 earthquake at approximately 6:04 p.m. local time (22:04 UTC), followed just 39 seconds later by a magnitude 7.5 mainshock. The shallow quakes (depths around 10–22 km) struck near the Caribbean coast west of Caracas, with epicenters in the Yaracuy state area around Morón and Yumare. These were the strongest earthquakes to hit Venezuela in more than a century.

The shaking was felt across northern Venezuela, parts of Colombia, and as far as Brazil’s Amazon region, roughly 1,700 km (1,050 miles) away. Dozens of buildings collapsed, particularly in the coastal state of La Guaira (including the hard-hit port area of Catia La Mar) and neighborhoods in Caracas. The main Simón Bolívar International Airport (Maiquetía) sustained damage and was closed. Power, water, gas, and communications outages were widespread, and the Morón Petrochemical Complex reported issues but was restarting operations.

Acting President Delcy Rodríguez declared a state of emergency late Wednesday and addressed the nation, urging calm, unity, and for healthcare workers to report to hospitals. “Dozens of buildings have collapsed there … and we are currently carrying out intensive rescue operations to save lives,” she said, describing it as “a true tragedy.” She announced an initial recovery fund and appealed to businesses for heavy equipment to aid rescues. Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello urged residents to remain outside due to aftershock risks and ordered gas supplies shut off in vulnerable areas.

Casualty figures rose rapidly through Thursday. Early reports cited 32 dead and around 700 injured; updated official figures reached at least 164 dead and 971 injured, with some reports mentioning 188 or higher. Many people remain trapped or missing (one tracking site listed over 6,600 unaccounted for), and USGS predictive modeling indicates the death toll will most likely run into the thousands, with a substantial probability of exceeding 10,000 in worst-case scenarios.

Rescue operations intensified Thursday, with local teams and arriving international search-and-rescue units (including from the U.S., Netherlands, Mexico, and others) working through rubble in La Guaira and Caracas. UN-certified teams were en route. Hospitals treated the injured amid strained resources, and some schools were canceled or repurposed as shelters. Many residents spent the night in the streets or open areas, some with pets, amid dust clouds and ongoing aftershocks.

International condolences and aid offers came quickly from the United States, Spain, the European Union (which activated its Copernicus satellite program), China, Brazil, Caribbean nations, and others. The Netherlands committed €2 million for a rescue team with dogs and equipment.8f038c

irishtimes.com

Venezuela sits in a seismically active zone at the boundary between the Caribbean and South American tectonic plates. While major quakes are less frequent here than in parts of the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country has a history of destructive events, including the devastating 1812 earthquake.

This is a developing story. Rescue efforts continue, and authorities are assessing full damage across multiple states. The combination of the doublet quake (foreshock-mainshock sequence), shallow depth, and vulnerable infrastructure has amplified the impact in populated coastal and urban areas.

For updates, monitor official sources from the Venezuelan government, USGS, and international aid organizations.