At least 235 people have been confirmed dead and more than 4,300 injured after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela's northern Caribbean coast within seconds of each other, leaving widespread devastation across the country. The twin quakes caused extensive damage in the capital, Caracas, and several surrounding regions, with rescue workers continuing frantic searches for survivors trapped beneath collapsed buildings as aftershocks continue to rattle affected areas.
The first earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.2, was followed less than a minute later by a stronger 7.5-magnitude tremor, prompting a nationwide emergency response. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located off Venezuela's northern coast near the city of Morón. The powerful tremors were felt across much of Venezuela, neighboring Colombia and several Caribbean islands, while more than 20 aftershocks have been recorded since the disaster.
The Venezuelan government has declared a nationwide state of emergency, deploying military personnel, civil defense teams and emergency responders to assist with rescue and relief operations. Authorities have temporarily closed schools, suspended public transport services and shut down some airports as power outages, water shortages and communication disruptions continue to affect several regions.
Simón Bolívar International Airport will remain closed until at least Friday because of earthquake-related damage, while metro and rail services in Caracas have also been suspended.
World leaders have expressed solidarity with Venezuela and offered assistance. Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his condolences to acting President Delcy Rodríguez, with the Kremlin stating that Russia is prepared to provide aid if requested. China also pledged support, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun expressing confidence that Venezuela would recover from the disaster. France, Germany, Türkiye, Iran, the Vatican, the United Nations and the World Bank are among the countries and organizations that have also offered assistance or support for ongoing relief efforts.
The United States has likewise offered humanitarian assistance despite longstanding political tensions between the two nations.
The disaster struck just hours before a separate magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook Japan's northern prefectures of Aomori and Iwate, where at least eight people were injured.
Venezuela's deadliest recent earthquake occurred in 1967, claiming around 300 lives and injuring approximately 1,600 people in Caracas. Another major quake in the country's northeast in 1997 killed at least 81 people.